The development and standardization of an Indian Positive Body Image Scale with an Exploratory Research Design
Abstract
Background: The study explored the basic features of positive body image intending to standardize a scale for it employing an Exploratory Research Design.
Participants and Procedure: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 17 males and 18 females with age range 21 to 30 years were chosen as per the screening criteria based on the scores of body mass index and body appreciation scale. The semi-structured interviews were conducted followed by its verbatim inscription for developing themes and basic descriptions of positive body image. The second phase involved 507 participants (268 males and 239 females) with the age span of 20 to 35 years on whom the newly developed positive body image scale and general health and quality of life measures meant for validation were administered
Results: A phenomenon with complex facets, linked with self, social realities and life outcomes, health practices and social relevance were the major themes generated in the first phase. The second phase resulted in the development of a new positive body image scale with 24 items comprising two components namely body appreciation and body effectiveness with desirable psychometric properties.
Conclusions: A set of theoretically sound and practically relevant attributes of positive body image was identified. The test-retest reliability showed significant levels while coefficients of correlations of the derived measure with general health and quality of life represented its validity. Further verifications of the findings are recommended. The study may carry implications for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.
Keywords
positive body image, body appreciation, body effectiveness, general health, exploratory research design.