Objective: The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Brazilian adaptation of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales, a widely used instrument in body image research.
Methods: We translated the MBSRQ-AS and determined its psychometric properties among 2 community samples, totaling 387 men and 381 women, and 1 college sample of 104 men and 133 women, aged from 16 to 67 years old (totaling 1005 participants). Near half of the sample (n = 606) was recruited online (SurveyMonkey Database) and the other half was personally recruited from universities, technical schools and libraries.
Results: The translated version was similar to the original, and the items were easily understood. After the exclusion of the negatively worded questions, the Brazilian version had the same factor structure as the original MBSRQ-AS. Internal consistency ranged from .73 to .90 and test-retest reliability indices ranged from .76 to .92. The measure captured sex and weight status differences. Women reported significantly higher levels of investment in appearance, lower levels of satisfaction with specific parts of the body, higher concerns with being overweight, and classified themselves as heavier than men. Overweight and obese men and women reported lower satisfaction with specific parts of their bodies, higher concerns with being overweight, and classified themselves as heavier than their normal weight counterparts. Convergent validity was demonstrated by the significant correlations between the MBSRQ-AS subscales and investment in appearance, internalization of beauty ideals, disordered eating and self-esteem.
Conclusions: In summary, the Brazilian MBSRQ-AS appears to be a good option for researchers in the country. Furthermore, the study provides substantial parameters for comparison with other adaptations of the instrument around the world.
Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive study.
Keywords: Body image; Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire; Psychometric; Translation; Validation.