Abstract
ObjectiveBody image is a construct highly dependent on culture and ethnicity. Furthermore, recent studies reveal that body image is not only a trait, but also a momentary state subject to change in diverse situational contexts. However, cultural influences on momentary body image have not been sufficiently investigated. To assess the influence of Latin American culture on momentary body image and to enable its comparison to Western countries, the Spanish translation of an existing state body image scale such as the Body Image States Scale (BISS) is needed. In addition, the factor structure, reliability and general validity of the Spanish BISS (S-BISS) should be evaluated prior to its application in diverse situational contexts.MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating 1137 individuals between the ages of 18 and 28 years from Barranquilla, Colombia, South America. The original BISS, which assesses body satisfaction, was translated from English to Spanish. Factorial structure, scale score reliability and convergent/divergent validity were assessed.ResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a one-factor model with correlated items best described the factorial structure present in the BISS questionnaire. The coefficient of scale score reliability was α = 0.92 (McDonalds ω = 0.93), with similar results for men and women. Significant differences between males and females were found with lesser body satisfaction in females (W = 163260, p = 0.016). Lower S-BISS scores indicating less body satisfaction were associated with higher BMI (r = −0.287, p < 0.001) and obtained in participants who were currently on a diet (t1135 = −3.98, p < 0.001). The S-BISS was negatively correlated with a trait body image measurement assessing body dissatisfaction (Body Shape Questionnaire, r = −0.577, p < 0.001) and a psychopathology questionnaire (Brief Symptom Inventory 53, r = −0.331, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe S-BISS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess body image in the Colombian population, and exhibits similar psychometric properties to those of the original version. Future studies should examine whether the S-BISS captures change in state body image when applied in diverse situational contexts.
Highlights
Body image is defined as a multifaceted construct that refers to the way individuals experience and conceptualize their own body (Evangelista et al, 2016)
Using the Kaiser criterion, that is all factors with eigenvalues greater than one (Costello and Osborne, 2005), we found that a 1-factor structure is sufficient (Figure 1B)
This factorial structure is similar for males and females based on the Tucker Lewis index (TLI) (0.918 in females vs. 0.927 in males), and the factorial loadings were positive
Summary
Body image is defined as a multifaceted construct that refers to the way individuals experience and conceptualize their own body (Evangelista et al, 2016). Most research investigates body image as a trait being stable across a broad range of situations, body image and, the satisfaction – dissatisfaction with one’s body image are subject to change by situational context or over time (Tiggemann, 2001; Cash et al, 2002). Many studies assessing the influence of situational context on body image use ad hoc created scales [e.g., visual analog scales, (Hargreaves and Tiggemann, 2003)] or merely modified and often shortened versions of trait measurements (FitzsimmonsCraft et al, 2015), leaving room for improvement toward a reliable and valid measurement of momentary body image states (Thompson, 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
