Photographic Assessment of Change in Trichotillomania: Psychometric Properties and Variables Influencing Interpretation

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Although photographic assessment has been found to be reliable in assessing hair loss in Trichotillomania, the validity of this method is unclear, particularly for gauging progress in treatment. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of photographic assessment of change in Trichotillomania. Photographs showing hair loss of adults with Trichotillomania were taken before and after participating in a clinical trial for the condition. Undergraduate college students (N = 211) rated treatment response according to the photos, and additional archival data on hair pulling severity and psychosocial health were retrieved from the clinical trial. Photographic assessment of change was found to possess fair reliability (ICC = 0.53), acceptable criterion validity (r = 0.51), good concurrent validity (r = 0.30–0.36), and excellent incremental validity (ΔR2 = 8.67, p < 0.01). In addition, photographic measures were significantly correlated with change in quality of life (r = 0.42), and thus could be considered an index of the social validity of Trichotillomania treatment. Gender of the photo rater and pulling topography affected the criterion validity of photographic assessment (partial η2 = 0.05–0.11). Recommendations for improving photographic assessment and future directions for hair pulling research are discussed.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Houghton, DC; Franklin, MR; Twohig, MP; Franklin, ME; Compton, SN; Neal-Barnett, AM; Saunders, SM; Woods, DW

Published Date

  • September 1, 2016

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 38 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 505 - 513

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1573-3505

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0882-2689

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10862-016-9536-z

Citation Source

  • Scopus