Adapting the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children: A psychometric analysis of the BAS-2C. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Halliwell, Emma; Jarman, Hannah; Tylka, Tracy; Slater, Amy
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 21(2017)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Children -- Body Appreciation Scale-2 -- Positive body image -- Assessment -- Psychometrics -- Preadolescents; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: A children's version of the BAS-2 was validated among 9–11 year olds. The BAS-2C displayed a unidimensional factor structure and internal consistency. The scale displayed construct, criterion-related, and incremental validity. Body appreciation was correlated with body-related and emotional well-being. The BAS-2C offers a valuable tool to understand children's positive body image. Abstract: Positive body image among adults is related to numerous indicators of well-being. However, no research has explored body appreciation among children. To facilitate our understanding of children's positive body image, the current study adapts and validates the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a) for use with children. Three hundred and forty-four children (54.4% girls) aged 9–11 completed the adapted Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children (BAS-2C) alongside measures of body esteem, media influence, body surveillance, mood, and dieting. A sub-sample of 154 participants (62.3% girls) completed the questionnaire 6-weeks later to examine stability (test-retest) reliability. The BAS-2C displayed a unidimensional factor structure and evidence of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct, criterion-related, and incremental validity. Additionally, the results suggest adaptive properties of body appreciation for body-related and emotional well-being among children. The BAS-2C could serve as an essential component within research to understand and estimate children's positive body image.