The Spanish Body Image State Scale: Factor Structure, Reliability and Validity in a Colombian Population

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.

Translation and Validation of a State-Measure of Body Image Satisfaction: The Body Image State Scale

“…It was expected here that a French version of the BISS would negatively correlate with measures of body dissatisfaction, social comparison, and eating symptomatology, and would present a single-factor structure, as demonstrated in relevant research (Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). Moreover, we wished to replicate differences between BMI groups and eating disorder symptomatology groups found in the Mebarak Chams ( 2019) study; it is expected that higher BMI categories will have a lesser French Body Image State Scale (F-BISS) score than lower BMI groups.…”

“…Convergent validity has been tested using the BSQ (Cooper et al, 1987), and the EDE-Q (Fairburn and Beglin, 1994). Validation studies have shown very good psychometric qualities (Cash et al, 2002;Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). The BISS appears to have a single-factor structure, with every item loading on the main factor at a >0.75 coefficient (Mebarak Chams et al, 2019).…”

“…The BISS has been widely used in previous literature (i.e., Etu and Gray, 2010;Walker et al, 2012;Boersma and Jarry, 2013). Currently, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch versions have been developed, with only the Spanish version being the subject of a validation study (Carraro et al, 2010;Alleva et al, 2014;Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). Convergent validity has been tested using the BSQ (Cooper et al, 1987), and the EDE-Q (Fairburn and Beglin, 1994).…”

“…Validation studies have shown very good psychometric qualities (Cash et al, 2002;Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). The BISS appears to have a single-factor structure, with every item loading on the main factor at a >0.75 coefficient (Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). Convergent validity across studies also appears coherent with literature: the BISS had a negative correlation with body-dissatisfaction (r = −0.52, p < 0.001; Cash et al, 2002;r = −0.58, p < 0.001;Mebarak Chams et al, 2019), eating disorder symptomatology (r = −0.79, p < 0.01; Alleva et al, 2014) and general psychopathology (r = −0.33, p < 0.001; Mebarak Chams et al, 2019).…”

“…The BISS appears to have a single-factor structure, with every item loading on the main factor at a >0.75 coefficient (Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). Convergent validity across studies also appears coherent with literature: the BISS had a negative correlation with body-dissatisfaction (r = −0.52, p < 0.001; Cash et al, 2002;r = −0.58, p < 0.001;Mebarak Chams et al, 2019), eating disorder symptomatology (r = −0.79, p < 0.01; Alleva et al, 2014) and general psychopathology (r = −0.33, p < 0.001; Mebarak Chams et al, 2019). Discriminant analyses also showed a significant difference between Body Mass Index (BMI) groups with participants having a higher BMI being less satisfied than those with a lower BMI (Mebarak Chams et al, 2019).…”