Measurement Invariance of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire: Can We Compare Across Age and Gender?

Abstract

The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) is one of the most widely used body image measures and one of the few measures developed with men and women of a wide age range. To make age and gender comparisons, however, measures must exhibit cross-group equivalence. Whether the MBSRQ subscales can be used to make such comparisons was examined in a sample of 1,262 adults (422 men, 840 women) aged 18 to 98 years. The results showed that body image was perceived quite differently across the groups and that not all MBSRQ subscales may be used to make age and gender comparisons. The importance of examining measurement invariance in body image measures is highlighted and recommendations for use of the MBSRQ are offered.

Predicting ideal body mass index: What does clothing size have to do with it?

“…Men tend to value physical attractiveness and strength, whereas women place more value in sexual attractiveness and controlled weight (Feingold & Mazzella, 1998). Rusticus and Hubley (2006) assessed the ability of the Multidimensional BodySelf Relations Questionnaire (MBRSQ), a frequently used body image assessment test given to both men and women, to make comparisons across gender, and found that body image is indeed a very different construct for men and women, lending support to previous findings. For example, intercorrelations among desired body characteristics are stronger for men than women, suggesting that more diffuse factors influence women's body image (Franzoi & Shields, 1984;Kashubeck-West, Mintz, & Weigold, 2005).…”

“…Men and women are both likely to gain weight as they age, but women are more likely than men to experience substantial weight gain (Keel, Baxter, Heatherton, & Joiner, 2007;Kuczmarski, 1992). Moreover, men and women's body image seems to have different significance for individuals at different ages (Rusticus & Hubley, 2006). Despite the likelihood that women gain more weight than men, body dissatisfaction decreases for women and increases for men (Heatherton, Mahamedi, Striepe, Field, & Keel, 1997;Kaminski & Hayslip, 2006;Keel et al, 2007;Tiggemann & Stevens, 1999;Tunaley, Walsh, & Nicolson, 1999).…”

How do Runaway Adolescents and their Parents Perceive the Family? Measurement Invariance in the Family Functioning Scale

“…As parents and youths' understanding of specific scale items diverge, this assumption is likely to be violated, leading to potentially inaccurate estimates of quantitative group differences. Thus, only through demonstrating measurement invariance can a scale be deemed to measure the same attributes or construct across groups [11].…”

Invariance test of the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire: do women with breast cancer interpret this measure differently?

“…The MBSRQ-AS assesses five dimensions of body image focused generally on appearance, body, and weight satisfaction and value: appearance evaluation (i.e., feelings about and satisfaction with physical appearance), appearance orientation (i.e., investment in appearance and the importance of appearance), body areas satisfaction (i.e., satisfaction with specific aspects of appearance), overweight preoccupation (i.e., fat anxiety, weight vigilance, efforts aimed at weight and body shape), and self-classified weight (SCW; i.e., identification of being under-, normal-, or over-weight). Using methods such as invariance testing, it is important to determine whether these body image dimensions are interpreted the same way across groups (such as breast cancer survivors and women without breast cancer), or whether there is a systematic bias in the way one group responds to questions about their appearance, body, and weight [10][11][12]. Invariance testing has been conducted with the original MBSRQ across gender and age [11].…”

“…Using methods such as invariance testing, it is important to determine whether these body image dimensions are interpreted the same way across groups (such as breast cancer survivors and women without breast cancer), or whether there is a systematic bias in the way one group responds to questions about their appearance, body, and weight [10][11][12]. Invariance testing has been conducted with the original MBSRQ across gender and age [11]. Many of the subscales were invariant [i.e., appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, and overweight preoccupation; 11], yet the authors recommended to avoid assessing body areas satisfaction across different ages to evade systematic biases in comparisons and subsequent implications.…”