Confirmatory factor analyses of the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and Functionality Appreciation Scale among LGBQ adults

Abstract

Positive body image has been recognized as a construct that extends beyond evaluation of one’s physical appearance and instead focuses broadly on the love and respect people hold about their bodies. As a multidimensional construct, positive body image has been assessed via several different self-report measures. For example, body image flexibility and functionality appreciation refer to two aspects of positive body image that have been measured via the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ) and Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). Although the study of positive body image has expanded the body image and eating disorder literature, the majority of positive body image research, including the use of the BI-AAQ and FAS, has been conducted among presumably heterosexual participants. As such, it is unclear whether the factor structures of measures, such as the BI-AAQ and FAS, are supported among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals. The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structures of the BI-AAQ and FAS via confirmatory factor analyses among a sample of LGBQ adults. Based on a sample of 197 self-identified LGBQ participants recruited online, the factorial validity of the BI-AAQ and FAS were both generally supported with unitary factor structures, as have been found among presumably heterosexual samples. Results suggest that the BI-AAQ and FAS may be used when assessing body image flexibility and functionality appreciation among LGBQ individuals. Future directions regarding body image flexibility and functionality appreciation measures among LGBQ individuals are also discussed.