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Initial examination of the validity and reliability of the female photographic figure rating scale for body image assessment

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Martin Tovee

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Abstract

The present study reports on the reliability and validity of an improved body image assessment scale, namely the female Photographic Figure Rating Scale (PFRS). This scale consists of ten photographic images of real women varying in body mass index (BMI) from emaciated to obese. The PFRS was designed to overcome many of the limitations associated with line-drawn figures that are currently in use, including a lack of realism and poor ecological validity. Based on a sample of 208 adult women, the results of the present study showed that the PFRS had good validity in that all images were correctly rank-ordered by BMI. In addition, construct validity was supported by the finding that current self-ratings of body size based on the PFRS were significantly correlated with participants' BMI and that body dissatisfaction was negatively correlated with positive body image. Finally, test-retest reliabilities showed that the PFRS remained stable after a three-week interval. The discussion focuses on the strengths and limitations of the PFRS in relation to existing scales used in body image assessment. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Swami V, Salem N, Furnham A, Tovée MJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Personality and Individual Differences

Year: 2008

Volume: 44

Issue: 8

Pages: 1752-1761

ISSN (print): 0191-8869

ISSN (electronic): 1873-3549

Publisher: Pergamon

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.02.002

DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2008.02.002

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