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Ignacio Jáuregui Lobera, Patricia Bolaños Ríos
Spanish Version of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) for Adolescents The Spanish
Journal of Psychology, vol. 14, núm. 1, 2011, pp. 411-420,
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
España
Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=17217456037
The Spanish Journal of Psychology,
ISSN (Printed Version): 1138-7416
[email protected]
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
España
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Copyright 2011 by The Spanish Journal of Psychology
ISSN 1138-7416
The Spanish Journal of Psychology
2011, Vol. 14 No. 1, 411-420
doi:10.5209/rev_SJOP.2011.v14.n1.37
Spanish Version of the Body Appreciation Scale
(BAS) for Adolescents
Ignacio Jáuregui Lobera1 and Patricia Bolaños Ríos2
1
Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Spain)
Instituto de Ciencias de la Conducta (Spain)
2
The need to study the positive aspects of body image led to the design of the Body Appreciation
Scale (BAS). The aim of the present study was to develop a Spanish adaptation of the BAS for
adolescents, testing its factor structure, construct validity and any differences between girls and boys.
Participants were 312 adolescents aged between 12 and 20; there were 148 females and 164 males.
The validation analysis of the BAS revealed a one-factor structure with adequate internal consistency
(Cronbach’s α = .908) and construct validity (correlations with body mass index, influence of the
body shape model, perceived stress, coping strategies, self-esteem and variables from the Eating
Disorders Inventory-2), as well as significant differences between boys and girls (p < .01). The BAS
is suitable for administration in a Spanish adolescent population as a way of analysing the positive
aspects of body image.
Keywords: positive body image, body appreciation, adolescents, Spanish population, psychometric properties.
La necesidad de estudiar los aspectos positivos de la imagen corporal, llevó a diseñar la Escala de
apreciación corporal (EAC). El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar una adaptación española de
la EAC para adolescentes analizando su estructura factorial y consistencia interna, la validez de
constructo y las diferencias entre chicas y chicos. La muestra estuvo formada por 312 adolescentes, de
entre 12 y 20 años, de los que 148 eran chicas y 164 chicos. El análisis reveló una estructura unifactorial
con adecuada consistencia interna (coeficiente alfa de Cronbach = 0,908) y validez de constructo
(correlaciones con el índice de masa corporal, influencia del modelo estético corporal, estrés percibido,
estrategias de afrontamiento, autoestima y variables del Inventario de trastornos alimentarios-2), así
como diferencias significativas entre chicos y chicas (p < 0,01). La EAC es adecuada como instrumento
para analizar los aspectos positivos de la imagen corporal en adolescentes españoles.
Palabras clave: imagen corporal positiva, apreciación corporal, adolescentes, población española,
propiedades psicométricas.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ignacio Jáuregui Lobera. Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Área de
Nutrición y Bromatología. Carretera de Utrera Km. 1. 41013 Sevilla. (Spain). E-mail: [email protected]
411
412
JÁUREGUI LOBERA AND BOLAÑOS RÍOS
Body image is a complex and multidimensional
construct that includes self-perceptions and attitudes
(thoughts, feelings, behaviour) related to the body (Avalos,
Tylka, & Wood-Barcalow, 2005; Cash, 2002; Cash,
Jakatdar, & Williams, 2004; Thompson, Heiberg, Altabe, &
Tantleff-Dunn, 1999). Although associated aspects such as
appearance orientation and evaluation, body esteem and the
accuracy of perceived body size may be positive to varying
extent, the study of body image has focused particularly
on negative features such as dissatisfaction or distortion
(Cash, 2002). The predictors of a positive body image or
the outcome of such a positive perception have been less
widely studied, despite the fact that research has suggested
that the variables associated with a positive body image
could be in opposition to those associated with a negative
one (Striegel-Moore & Cachelin, 1999). For example, a
positive body image has been found to be associated with
higher levels of optimism and self-esteem, as well as with
better strategies for coping with problems and emotions
(Williams, Cash, & Santos, 2004).
As the study of body image has centred on negative
aspects the corresponding evaluation instruments have been
designed to capture negative attitudes towards the body
(Avalos et al., 2005). Some of these instruments have been
designed solely to examine the degree of satisfaction with
appearance, without considering other aspects of a positive
body image (Brown, Cash, & Mikulka, 1990; Franzoi &
Shields, 1984). However, above and beyond satisfaction with
appearance a positive body image should include a favourable
opinion about one’s physical features, an acceptance of one’s
body despite its weight, shape or imperfections, respect and
attention towards the body’s needs through the adoption of
healthy behaviours, and self-protection by rejecting body
ideals presented in the media (Cash, 1997; Freedman, 2002;
Maine, 2000; Williams et al., 2004).
Among the instruments for evaluating body image,
some are based on the estimation of body size (using
figure models), and are generally reliable, valid and easy
to administer (Stewart, Williamson, Smeets, & Greenway,
2000). Body size has also been estimated from the point
of view of the subject’s perception, using instruments that
show adequate reliability and internal consistency (Ruff
& Barrios, 1986; Gardner, Martínez, & Sandoval, 1987).
Other instruments have focused on the measurement of
body dissatisfaction, and once again these are easy to use
and show adequate psychometric properties (Brown, et
al., 1990). In addition, some research has used measures
of the influence of socio-cultural factors on body image.
Within this group, a noteworthy instrument developed in
our geographical area (Spain) is the Questionnaire on
Influences on Body Shape Model (CIMEC; Toro, Salamero,
& Martínez, 1994). Finally, behavioural measures have also
been used, for example, the Body Checking Questionnaire
(Reas, Whisenhunt, Netemeyer, & Williamson, 2002) or
the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (Rosen, Srebnik,
Saltzberg, & Wendt, 1991).
The need to measure positive body image led to the
development of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS; Avalos
et al., 2005). This 13-item instrument, whose factor structure
comprises a single dimension and which shows adequate
internal consistency and construct validity, does seem to be
useful for studying the positive aspects of body image.
The aim of the present study was to adapt the BAS to the
Spanish population, testing its psychometric properties in a
sample of male and female adolescents. More specifically,
the objectives were to analyse the factor structure and
construct validity of the scale by studying the correlations
with several variables such as body mass index (BMI),
degree of influence on the body shape model, perceived
stress, coping strategies, self-esteem and eating disorder
symptoms. Differences in the BAS scores obtained by boys
and girls were also analysed.
Method
Participants
The initial sample comprised 350 participants, but this
was reduced to 312 after rejecting any incomplete protocols.
Regarding to the BAS, only in three cases (0.85%) the
questionnaire was incomplete and then they were rejected.
Among the participants nobody showed any comprehension
and/or language difficulties. There were four immigrant
students, from South America (1.14%). The final group
comprised adolescents, all of whom were secondary or
high-school students drawn from two state schools. Sample
size was calculated taking into account the recommended
10:1 ratio of number of participants to number of test items
(Kline, 1998), and the distribution of the courses and their
schedules at the schools.
Measures
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The students were weighed and measured (without
shoes) using calibrated electronic instruments, and BMI
scores (weight in Kg/height in m squared) were then
calculated.
Body Appreciation Scale (BAS)
This 13-item instrument, whose factor structure
comprises a single dimension and which shows adequate
internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient = .94) and
construct validity, does seem to be useful for studying
the positive aspects of body image (a favourable opinion
about one’s physical features, an acceptance of one’s body
despite its weight, shape or imperfections, respect and
attention towards the body’s needs through the adoption of
healthy behaviours, and self-protection by rejecting body
ideals presented in the media). BAS items are rated along
THE BODY APPRECIATION SCALE (BAS)
413
a 5-point scale (i.e., 1 = never, 2 = seldom, 3 = sometimes,
4 = often, 5 = always) and are averaged to obtain an overall
body appreciation score. When giving the BAS to men Item
12 is revised to: “I do not allow unrealistically muscular
images of men presented in the media to affect my attitudes
toward my body”.
situation they do what is expressed in each item. At the
end they respond to one further item about the perceived
effectiveness of their coping. The Spanish version of the
inventory has shown adequate internal consistency, with
alpha coefficients for the various factors ranging between
.63 and .89.
Questionnaire on Influences on Body Shape Model
(CIMEC and CIMEC-V)
Self-Esteem Scale (SES)
This 10-item scale (Rosenberg, 1965), designed to
measure global self-esteem, is widely used in social and
clinical psychological research. The present study used the
Spanish version of the instrument (Vázquez, Jiménez, &
Vázquez-Morejón, 2004), which shows adequate internal
consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient = .87), test-retest
reliability (r = .72) and construct validity.
This instrument was designed to assess the influence of
the prevailing aesthetic model in both normal and clinical
populations. The original questionnaire (CIMEC), which
was validated in girls, was subsequently adapted for boys
(CIMEC-V) and it has been shown to be adequate for
assessing socio-cultural influences on the aesthetic body
shape model (Toro, Castro, Gila, & Pombo, 2005; Toro,
et al., 1994). The questionnaire measures the influence of
ideal models, the concern with being thin, the influence of
social models, family influences, the influence of friends,
interpersonal influences, behaviours aimed at weight loss,
body-related anxiety, the influence of advertising and the
concern with being fat. The CIMEC and CIMEC-V used
here were the 40-item versions. Each item has three possible
responses: a great deal, slightly or not at all. The original
study in which the instrument was validated reported
adequate reliability (Cronbach’s α coefficient > .70).
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ)
This instrument was specifically designed to evaluate
stress in clinical psychosomatic research (Levenstein et al.,
1993) and comprises 30 items that differentially measure
the general and recent forms of perceived stress. The
present study used the Spanish version of the PSQ (SanzCarrillo, García-Campayo, Rubio, Santed, & Montoro,
2002), which has shown adequate internal consistency
(Cronbach’s α coefficient = .90) and test-retest reliability
(r = .80), as well as adequate predictive validity in stressrelated disorders.
Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI)
The Spanish version (Cano García, Rodríguez Franco,
& García Martínez, 1989) of the CSI (Tobin, Holroyd,
Reynolds, & Kigal, 1989 ) was used here. This inventory
explores eight primary strategies (problem solving, selfcriticism, emotional expression, wishful thinking, social
support, cognitive restructuring, problem avoidance and
social withdrawal), four secondary strategies (adaptive
and maladaptive coping with problems, adaptive and
maladaptive coping with emotions) and two tertiary
strategies (adaptive and maladaptive coping), all with
respect to a described stressful situation. Individuals
must respond to 40 items, scored on a five-point Likert
scale, indicating in each case how often in the described
Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2)
This self-report questionnaire comprises eleven
subscales (drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction,
ineffectiveness, perfectionism, interpersonal distrust,
interoceptive awareness, maturity fears, asceticism,
impulse regulation and social insecurity), the scores of
which provide a profile that can be compared with norms
for patients and the normal population (Garner, 1998).
The internal consistency ranges between 0.83 and 0.92 in
clinical samples and between 0.65 and 0.93 in various nonclinical samples. Test-retest reliability ranges between 0.41
and 0.97, depending on the sample used, and the instrument
shows adequate construct validity.
Procedure
The Spanish version of the BAS was obtained by means
of a translation/back translation procedure. Twenty students
were randomly selected from the sample for preliminary
testing in order to confirm that the scale could be read
and understood by the age group of interest. During test
administration, students were asked for their interpretations
of the questions. Their suggestions and comments were
then used in order to prepare the instructions and to ensure
that participants had no difficulties in reading the items.
Whenever a student was younger than eighteen, parental
consent and the student’s assent were obtained prior to data
collection. Parents were asked to return the signed consent
form in all cases, including the withholding of consent for
their children to participate in the research. Students aged
eighteen or over gave their own consent, although their
parents were always informed about the nature of the study,
which was conducted with the permission and collaboration
of the heads of the two participating schools. The study was
conducted after having obtained the approval of the Ethics
and Deontology Department of the chosen schools.
Having obtained informed consent for the study, students
then completed the questionnaires in group sessions with no
time limit; this was done in classroom time in the presence
414
JÁUREGUI LOBERA AND BOLAÑOS RÍOS
of a psychologist and a dietician. One session was used to
obtain the height and weight measurements, while a further
two were set aside for questionnaire administration. All
participants volunteered to take part in the study and none
of them received any kind of recompense for responding to
the questionnaires.
Results
Demographics and appealing features
The final group comprised adolescents aged between 12
and 20 (M = 14.81; SD = 1.94). There were 148 women and
164 men, a difference that corresponded to the demographic
characteristics of the two schools. Regarding to the
appealing features the BAS was easily administered and
scored, and it required only a few minutes to be completed
(M = 1.68 minutes) with a range between 1.21 and 4.20
minutes.
Factor structure and internal consistency of the BAS
As in the original validation study a factor analysis
was conducted using principal axes extraction with
quartimax rotation. This is the recommended method when
it is expected that only one general factor will be derived
(Pedhazur & Schmelkin, 1991). Various indicators of the
Figure 1. Factor analysis’ scree plot.
high degree of inter-relationship between the variables
confirmed the suitability of the analysis: Bartlett’s test of
sphericity gave χ2 = 2414.46 (p < .0001), while the KaiserMeyer-Olkin index was .945. The number of factors was
determined according to those with eigenvalues above 1, as
well as by examining the scree plot (Figure 1). The best
solution from the principal factors analysis of the 13 items
of the BAS revealed a single factor, thus coinciding with
the findings of the original report. The factor loadings are
shown in Table 1.
The internal consistency of the BAS was analysed by
means of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which gave a value
of .908.
Test-retest reliability
A new study was conducted in order to evaluate
the temporal stability of the BAS assessing the testretest reliability of its scores. The new group comprised
adolescents aged between 12 and 20 (M = 15.01; SD =
1.67), all of whom were secondary or high-school students
drawn from the same two state schools. There were 78
women and 82 men. They completed the BAS under the
same conditions of the first study, and they also completed
the scale 3 weeks later in the same setting (the same period
of time was used in the original psychometric evaluation
415
THE BODY APPRECIATION SCALE (BAS)
of the BAS). Results indicated a positive and significant
correlation between the two scores (rxx´ = .87, p < .01),
showing an adequate temporal stability over the 3-week
period. The paired samples t-test revealed no significant
differences. Finally, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient gave
a value of .88 (initial administration), and a value of .90
(second administration).
Correlation between the BAS and other variables
There was a negative and significant correlation (p <
.01) between the BAS and BMI (r = -0.18).
The correlation analysis for the BAS and the CIMEC
also revealed a negative and significant correlation
(r = -.46; p < .01) with respect to the total score of the CIMEC.
As regards the different areas of influence explored by the
CIMEC, there were negative and significant correlations
(p < .01) between the BAS and concern with being thin
(r = -.37), interpersonal influences (r = -.34), behaviours
aimed at weight loss (r = -.35), body-related anxiety (r =
-.56), the influence of advertising (r = -.34) and concern
with being fat (r = -.38).
The BAS also showed a negative and significant
correlation (p < .01) with perceived stress, both general
(r = -.26) and recent (r = -.25).
As regards the CSI and the BAS the analysis revealed
a positive and significant correlation with adaptive coping
(r = .16; p < .01) and the perceived effectiveness of coping
(r = .26; p < .01), in contrast to the negative correlations
observed with respect to social withdrawal (r = -.24; p < .01)
and maladaptive coping with emotions (r = -.22; p < .01).
The correlation between the BAS and self-esteem was
positive and significant (r = .53; p < .01).
The
relationships
between
eating
disorder
psychopathology and the BAS were determined by means
of the EDI-2. The most relevant findings were the negative
correlations between the BAS and the drive for thinness,
body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness and social insecurity
(see Table 2).
Differences between girls and boys
A one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed
significant differences F(1,310) = 5.84, p < .01 on the
BAS between girls and boys (M = 49.18, SD = 10.25; and
M = 52.01, SD = 9.39, respectively). The study of individual
scale items showed significant differences on item 2 (I feel
good about my body: M = 3.76, SD = 1.06; and M = 4.15,
SD = 0.93 in girls and boys; F(1,310) = 11.41, p < .01),
Table 2
Correlation between the BAS and the various subscales of
the Eating Disorders Inventory 2 (EDI-2)
Subscales of the EDI-2
r
Drive for thinness
Bulimia
Body dissatisfaction
Ineffectiveness
Perfectionism
Interpersonal distrust
Interoceptive awareness
Maturity fears
Asceticism
Impulse regulation
Social insecurity
-.507*
-.025
-.609*
-.402*
-.094
-.225*
-.023
-.028
-.197*
-.153*
-.311*
* p < .01
Table 1
Factor structure (principal axes with quartimax rotation) of the BAS
Item
Factor I
Factor II
Factor III
BAS1
BAS2
BAS3
BAS4
BAS5
BAS6
BAS7
BAS8
BAS9
BAS10
BAS11
BAS12
BAS13
Explained variance:
Accumulated variance:
.675
.883
.872
.800
.769
.888
.542
.457
.445
.840
.537
.371
.857
49.21%
49.21%
.086
.097
-.186
-.059
.001
.028
.410
.155
-.155
.102
.414
.088
.046
4.47%
53.68%
.013
-.028
-.034
-.042
.023
.020
.188
.426
.314
.022
.026
.309
.010
4.43%
58.11%
416
JÁUREGUI LOBERA AND BOLAÑOS RÍOS
item 3 (On the whole, I am satisfied with my body: M = 3.73,
SD = 1.15; and M = 4.06, SD = 1.00 in girls and boys; F(1,
310) = 7.31, p < .01), item 5 (I feel that my body has at least
some good qualities: M = 4.02, SD = 0.98; and M = 4.32,
SD = 0.87 in girls and boys; F(1,310) = 7.91, p < .01), item
6 (I take a positive attitude towards my body: M = 3.80,
SD = 1.09; and M = 4.16, SD = 0.99 in girls and boys; F(1,
310) = 9.34, p < .01), item 10 (My feelings toward my body
are positive, for the most part: M = 3.61, SD = 1.10; and
M = 4.03, SD = 1.02 in girls and boys; F(1,310) = 12.22, p
< .01) and item 13 (Despite its imperfections, I still like my
body: M = 3.96, SD = 1.12; and M = 4.28, SD = 0.93 in girls
and boys; F(1,310) = 7.62, p < .01).
Discussion
As in the original report of the BAS the present study
obtained a general factor referring to the variable “body
appreciation”. Despite the factor analysis revealed three
factors, the loadings, the scree plot, and the interpretability
show a best solution of one general factor. In the original
study, no satisfactory solution was evident with two
factors. Nevertheless in that study the loadings of a second
factor were not reported. The single factor solution in the
original research accounted for 60.8% of item variance,
which is higher than the explained variance for one factor
found in the present study. Due to the unreported second
factor in the original study it is not possible to compare the
results. The gap in the body image literature regarding the
measurement of positive aspects, which has been pointed
out by various authors (Cash, 2002; Striegel-Moore &
Cachelin, 1999; Williams et al., 2004), is addressed through
the design of instruments such as the BAS and, in this case,
by its validation in a Spanish population. In general, the
present study, which validates a Spanish version of the
BAS in a sample of adolescents, meets the requirements for
measuring the construct “body appreciation”. The analysis
of reliability showed that the scale has adequate internal
consistency. One aspect which should be highlighted, and
which was noted in the original report (Avalos et al., 2005),
is the ease of administration; indeed, the fact that it only
takes a few minutes to collect the data makes the scale an
ideal complement to other measurement instruments.
By studying the correlations between the BAS and
these other instruments it has been possible to identify
those variables which contribute to a positive body image.
Firstly, the negative correlation between the BAS and
BMI suggests that body appreciation lessens as weight
increases, this being consistent with the findings of other
studies that included variables such as thoughts associated
with eating and food restrictions (Martz, Sturgis, &
Gustafson, 1996; Ohring, Graber, & Brooks-Gunn, 2002;
Stice & Whitenton, 2002).
The negative correlation observed between the BAS and
perceived stress, as well as between the BAS and certain
subscales of the CIMEC, illustrates the inter-relationship
between socio-cultural pressure to be thin, perceived stress
and the degree of body appreciation. The fact that this interrelationship takes a negative direction means that the greater
the influence of socio-cultural pressure on the individual
and the greater his or her perceived stress, the lower the
body appreciation will be. In fact, the anxiety produced by
the prevailing body shape model among adolescents seems
to be related, for example, to irrational thoughts about
food that are geared toward weight loss (Toro et al., 1994).
Similarly, it has been reported that dietary profile changes
in line with an increase in perceived stress (Daigle-Leblanc
& Villalon, 2008), and also that perceived stress in everyday
life is related to a greater risk of eating disorders, in which
the degree of satisfaction with one’s body is a key factor
(Waaddegaard, Davidsen, & Kjoller, 2009).
The correlations between the CSI and the BAS revealed
a relationship between adaptive coping with problems/
emotions, the perceived effectiveness of this coping and
body appreciation. These findings are consistent with those
of the original study (Avalos et al., 2005), which used
the “proactive coping” subscale of the Proactive Coping
Inventory (Greenglass, Schwartzer, & Taubert, 1999). The
present study also observed that greater body appreciation
was related to less social withdrawal and less maladaptive
coping. This confirms the findings of other authors who have
argued that less adaptive coping styles are associated with a
greater impact of stressful situations, as well as with greater
vulnerability when faced with issues related to food and body
image (Bittinger & Smith, 2003).
As regards self-esteem the high correlation with the BAS
coincides with that reported in the original study when using
the same scale (Avalos et al., 2005). The magnitude of the
correlation indicates that self-esteem is the principal variable
contributing to a positive body image. In practical terms,
this suggests that body appreciation could be improved by
working on variables such as self-esteem.
The importance of body image as a core feature of eating
disorders makes it necessary to study body appreciation in
relation to possible disturbances in eating behaviour. The
analysis of correlations between the BAS and the EDI-2
revealed negative and significant associations between the
degree of body appreciation and the drive for thinness, body
dissatisfaction and feelings of ineffectiveness. Therefore, as
pointed out in the original study (Avalos et al., 2005) there
is a negative relationship between body appreciation and
the specific symptoms of eating disorders. However, no
significant relationship was observed between the BAS and
bulimic symptomatology as measured by the EDI-2. In fact,
although body dissatisfaction has been reported to be highly
correlated with unhealthy attitudes about size and dieting,
girls who engage in dieting do not typically report binging,
and those who do binge may not be terribly concerned about
their body size (Jaúregui Lobera, Pérez-Lancho, GómezCapitan, Duran, & Garrido, 2009). Although of smaller
magnitude the study of correlations between the BAS and
the EDI-2 also showed a negative relationship between body
appreciation and symptoms such as interpersonal distrust,
asceticism, impulse regulation and social insecurity. This
417
THE BODY APPRECIATION SCALE (BAS)
illustrates the multidimensional nature of the body image
construct, one that goes beyond a mere question of weight
and body shape (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002) and which seems
to be related to the subject’s general self-evaluation.
In addition to meeting adequately the psychometric
requirements for use of the BAS in a Spanish adolescent
population, the present study also rectifies some of the
limitations of the original report by including adolescents
and men in the study sample. The fact that significant
differences were found between adolescent boys and girls,
with the latter showing less body appreciation, confirms
the idea that changes in the female body constitute a factor
contributing to lower body appreciation or, alternatively,
greater dissatisfaction with the body (Hermes & Keel,
2003). Another limitation of the original study which has
been overcome here is the inclusion of BMI. In this regard,
the present report confirms the hypothesis put forward by
the authors of the original paper in terms of a negative
relationship between the BAS and BMI; furthermore, this
supports the idea that when it comes to setting their weight
the preferences of adolescents are influenced socially by
the prevailing standards of what is regarded as beautiful
(Maine, 2000).
The BAS would be useful for Spanish-speaker
researchers in their investigations of predictors and
outcomes of positive body image, and it could be used
to identify which particular variables contribute to and
emanate from positive body image. Finally the BAS may
contribute to understand how to promote greater body
appreciation, and the relevance of the body appreciation in
the well-being might be better assessed in the future.
The present study does have a number of limitations
itself. Regarding the sample, and taking into account
the social characteristics of the chosen schools, it is
representative of the middle class and upper-middle class
population of Seville. In the future it should be useful to
assess other samples as for example participants of working
class and upper class. Another field for the future research
is the need to investigate the reliability and validity of the
BAS in pre-adolescent samples, as well as in patients with
eating disorders, as indicated by the authors of the original
report (Avalos et al., 2005). Another point to investigate
in the future could be the small number of items in the
test, which seeks to measure the four aspects of a positive
body image that are regarded by the literature as being the
most important: a favourable opinion about one’s physical
features, an acceptance of one’s body despite its weight,
shape or imperfections, respect and attention towards the
body’s needs through the adoption of healthy behaviours,
and self-protection by rejecting body ideals presented in
the media (Cash, 1997; Freedman, 2002; Maine, 2000;
Williams et al., 2004). In this regard, including additional
items in the scale might enable a better approximation to
these characteristics, and would perhaps result in a different
factor structure, one with more than a single dimension.
However, perhaps the most urgent extension to the present
research would involve analysing (using instruments such
as the BAS) the influence of body appreciation on eating
behaviours that seek to change body image. The aim here
would be to determine whether individuals who are less
influenced by prevailing ideals regarding beauty, and who
show a more critical awareness in this respect, have greater
body appreciation and, as a result, engage in fewer harmful
behaviours such as those related to eating.
Conclusions
1. The study, which validates a Spanish version of
the BAS in a sample of adolescents, meets the
requirements for measuring the construct body
appreciation.
2. Higher BMI, a greater influence of socio-cultural
pressure on the individual and greater perceived
stress seem to be related to lower body appreciation.
3.Adaptive coping with problems/emotions, the
perceived effectiveness of this coping and the
adequate self-esteem are correlated with greater
body appreciation.
4. There is a negative relationship between body
appreciation and some of the specific symptoms
associated with eating disorders. This relationship is
not observed when considering bulimic behaviour.
5. There are differences between girls and boys, with
the latter achieving higher scores (i.e. greater body
appreciation).
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Revision received March 23, 2010
Accepted May 26, 2010
THE BODY APPRECIATION SCALE (BAS)
419
APPENDIX A
VERSIÓN ESPAÑOLA DEL CUESTIONARIO BAS.
La realización de la prueba que viene a continuación es completamente anónima. No obstante, para una adecuada
valoración de los resultados, necesitamos que nos indiques algunos datos:
Edad: _________________________
Sexo: _________________________
A continuación leerás algunas frases sobre pensamientos acerca de tu cuerpo. Lee cada una de ellas y escoge
la respuesta con la que mejor te identificas en cuanto a lo que piensas respecto a cada frase. No hay respuestas
“buenas” ni “malas”.
1. RESPETO MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
2. ME SIENTO BIEN CON MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
3. EN GENERAL ESTOY SATISFECHO/SATISFECHA CON MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
4. A PESAR DE LOS DEFECTOS, ACEPTO MI CUERPO TAL COMO ES
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
5. SIENTO QUE MI CUERPO TIENE AL MENOS ALGUNAS CUALIDADES BUENAS
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
6. TENGO UNA ACTITUD POSITIVA HACIA MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
7. ESTOY ATENTO/ATENTA A LAS NECESIDADES DE MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
8. MI AUTOVALORACIÓN ES INDEPENDIENTE DE LA FORMA DE MI CUERPO O DE MI PESO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
9. NO PIERDO MUCHO TIEMPO EN PREOCUPARME POR LA FORMA DE MI CUERPO POR MI
PESO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
10. MIS SENTIMIENTOS HACIA EL CUERPO SON POSITIVOS EN SU MAYOR PARTE
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
11. TENGO HÁBITOS SANOS PARA CUIDAR MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
12. NO DEJO QUE IMÁGENES IRREALES DE MUJERES DELGADAS QUE APARECEN EN LOS
MEDIOS AFECTEN A LA ACTITUD HACIA MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
13. AUN CON SUS DEFECTOS, ME GUSTA MI CUERPO
Nunca
Rara vez
A veces
A menudo
Siempre
*En la versión para varones, la redacción del ítem 12 es:
NO DEJO QUE IMÁGENES IRREALES DE HOMBRES MUSCULOSOS QUE
LOS MEDIOS AFECTEN A LA ACTITUD HACIA MI CUERPO
APARECEN EN
420
JÁUREGUI LOBERA AND BOLAÑOS RÍOS
APPENDIX B
BODY APPRECIATION SCALE (BAS) ITEMS.
1. I RESPECT MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often
Always
2. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
3. ON THE WHOLE, I AM SATISFIED WITH MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
4. DESPITE ITS FLAWS, I ACCEPT MY BODY FOR WHAT IT IS
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
5. I FEEL THAT MY BODY HAS AT LEAST SOME GOOD QUALITIES
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
6. I TAKE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
7. I AM ATTENTIVE TO MY BODY’S NEEDS
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
8. MY SELF-WORTH IS INDEPENDENT OF MY BODY SHAPE OR WEIGHT
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
9. I DO NOT FOCUS A LOT OF ENERGY BEING CONCERNED WITH MY BODY SHAPE OR
WEIGHT
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
10. MY FEELINGS TOWARD MY BODY ARE POSITIVE, FOR THE MOST PART
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
11. I ENGAGE IN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS TO TAKE CARE OF MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
12. I DO NOT ALLOW UNREALISTICALLY THIN IMAGES OF WOMEN PRESENTED IN THE
MEDIA TO AFFECT MY ATTITUDES TOWARD MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
13. DESPITE ITS IMPERFECTIONS, I STILL LIKE MY BODY
Never
Seldom
Some times
Often Always
*Item 12 in the BAS to men:
I DO NOT ALLOW UNREALISTICALLY MUSCULAR IMAGES OF MEN PRESENTED IN THE
MEDIA TO AFFECT MY ATTITUDES TOWARD MY BODY