The validity and reliability of the Farsi version of the Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (F-BEECOM) among Iranian male and female students. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sahlan, Reza N.; Saunders, Jessica F.; Fitzsimmons-Craft, Ellen E.; Taravatrooy, Fatemeh
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 34(2020)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Social comparison -- Scale translation -- Psychometrics -- Iran; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: The F-BEECOM is useful for assessing multiple domains of ED- related social comparison. Exploratory factor analyses yielded two different 15-item scales for men and women. Reliability and construct validity of the F-BEECOM were strong in men and women. Abstract: Body-, eating-, and exercise-related social comparison tendencies are implicated in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among Western women. To date, no published study examines eating- and exercise-related comparisons in a male or non-Western sample. The current series of studies fills these gaps in the literature by translating and validating the existing measure of these comparisons (the 18-item Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure [BEECOM]) in samples of Iranian men and women. In Studies 1 and 2, female ( n = 284) and male ( n = 302) participants completed the translated Farsi BEECOM. Scores were analyzed by exploratory factor analyses (EFA) revealing two different three factor, 15-item scale structures for men and women. In Studies 3 and 4, participants (female n = 384; male n = 253) completed measures of social comparison and psychological functioning in one session. These data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and Pearson correlations. Each CFA yielded adequately fitting models. Results support the use of two different 15-item Farsi BEECOM measures with women and men and highlight unique gender differences in social comparison tendencies. The resulting F-BEECOM demonstrates strong psychometric properties and will be a useful research tool in Iranian women and men.