Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.095

Chapter 94 - Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 November 2025

Emilio J. Compte ,

Audrey Lopez ,

Angela E. Kim and

Jason M. Nagata

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

Show author details

Virginia Ramseyer Winter: Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Tracy L. Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Antoinette M. Landor: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

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Summary

The 13-item Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI, Hildebrandt et al., 2004) assesses muscle dysmorphia symptoms and severity. The MDDI can be administered online and/or in-person to adolescents, and/or adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the MDDI and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the MDDI has been found to have a three-factor structure (drive for size, appearance intolerance, functional impairment) within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and invariance across gender, sexual orientation, athletes, and community samples. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity support the use of the MDDI. Next, this chapter provides the MDDI items in their entirety, instructions for administering the MDDI to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Known translations are provided. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

Keywords

Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory MDDI drive for size appearance intolerance functional impairment scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring translations

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 282 - 284

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.095 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Compte, E. J., Cattle, C. J., Lavender, J. M., Brown, T. A., Murray, S. B., Capriotti, M. R., et al. (2022). Psychometric evaluation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among gender-expansive people. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00618-6.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Compte, E. J., Cattle, C. J., Lavender, J. M., Murray, S. B., Brown, T. A., Capriotti, M. R., et al. (2021). Psychometric evaluation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among cisgender gay men and cisgender lesbian women. Body Image, 38, 241–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.04.008.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Compte, E. J., Nagata, J. M., Sepúlveda, A. R., Rivas, A., Sbdar, L. S., Menga, S., et al. (2019). Assessment and validation of a Spanish version of the Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory in Argentinian men who exercise: Inventario de Dismorfia Muscular. Body Image, 31, 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.08.002.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Gomes, V. M. G. M., Compte, E. J., Almeida, M., Campos, P. F., Queiroz, A. C. C., Pereira, L. F., et al. (2020). Psychometric properties of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory among physically active Brazilian college men. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 21(4), 622–631. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000307.CrossRef Google Scholar

Hildebrandt, T., Langenbucher, J., & Schlundt, D. G. (2004). Muscularity concerns among men: Development of attitudinal and perceptual measures. Body Image, 1(2), 169–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.01.001.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Longobardi, C., Prino, L. E., Fabris, M. A., & Settanni, M. (2017). Muscle dysmorphia and psychopathology: Findings from an Italian sample of male bodybuilders. Psychiatry Research, 256, 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.065.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Nagata, J. M., Compte, E. J., McGuire, F. H., Lavender, J. M., Brown, T. A., Murray, S. B., et al. (2021). Community norms of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among gender minority populations. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S40337-021-00442-4.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Nagata, J. M., Compte, E. J., McGuire, F. H., Lavender, J. M., Murray, S. B., Brown, T. A., et al. (2022). Psychometric validation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among U.S. transgender men. Body Image, 42, 43–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.05.001.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Pope, H. G., Katz, D. L., & Hudson, J. I. (1993). Anorexia nervosa and “reverse anorexia” among 108 male bodybuilders. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 34(6), 406–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-440X(93)90066-D.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Schlundt, D. G., Woodford, H., & Brownlee, A. (2000). Muscle dysmorphia in male weightlifters: Psychological characteristics and practices. Unpublished manuscript.Google Scholar

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