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Revising the Body Esteem Scale with a U.S. College Student Sample: Evaluation, Validation, and Uses for the BES-R

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Abstract

The Body Esteem Scale (BES; Franzoi and Shields 1984) has been a primary research tool for over 30 years, yet its factor structure has not been fully assessed since its creation, so a two-study design examined whether the BES needed revision. In Study 1, a series of principal components analyses (PCAs) was conducted using the BES responses of 798 undergraduate students, with results indicating that changes were necessary to improve the scale’s accuracy. In Study 2, 1237 undergraduate students evaluated each BES item, along with a select set of new body items, while also rating each item’s importance to their own body esteem. Body items meeting minimum importance criteria were then utilized in a series of PCAs to develop a revised scale that has strong internal consistency and good convergent and discriminant validity. As with the original BES, the revised BES (BES-R) conceives of body esteem as both gender-specific and multidimensional. Given that the accurate assessment of body esteem is essential in better understanding the link between this construct and mental health, the BES-R can now be used in research to illuminate this link, as well as in prevention and treatment programs for body-image issues. Further implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Katherine A. Frost, Stephen L. Franzoi & Debra L. Oswald

  2. ProHealth Medical Group, 721 American Avenue, Waukesha, WI, 53188, USA

    Katherine A. Frost

  3. Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Stephanie A. Shields

Authors
  1. Katherine A. Frost
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  2. Stephen L. Franzoi
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  3. Debra L. Oswald
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  4. Stephanie A. Shields
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine A. Frost.

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These authors would like to address compliance with ethical standards regarding this research.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This research has been approved by both the Institutional Review Boards of Marquette University and Pennsylvania State University and reviewed/reapproved every year of data collection.

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Informed consent documents were provided to every participant outlining the purpose of the study, procedures, duration, risks, benefits, confidentiality, compensation, voluntary nature of participation and contact information.

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The welfare and care of all human participants was highly considered and highlighted in the training of research assistants given the sensitive nature of this psychological research.

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Appendix

Appendix

The Body Esteem Scale-Revised

Instructions: Below are listed a number of body parts and functions. Please read each item and indicate how you feel about this part or function of your own body, using the following response categories:

  • 1 = Have strong negative feelings

  • 2 = Have moderate negative feelings

  • 3 = Have no feeling one way or the other

  • 4 = Have moderate positive feelings

  • 5 = Have strong positive feelings

1. body scent

11. skin condition

21. appearance of eyes

2. head hair

12. biceps

22. face

3. hips

13. weight

23. physical condition

4. physical stamina

14. body build

24. legs

5. reflexes

15. figure/physique

25. sex drive

6. arms

16. buttocks

26. appearance of stomach

7. muscular strength

17. agility

27. sex organs

8. waist

18. health

28. physical coordination

9. energy level

19. sex activities

 

10. thighs

20. chest or breasts

 
  1. Note. Subscale scores are calculated by summing responses for the items corresponding to each subscale

Women

  • Sexual attractiveness: body scent, buttocks, chest or breasts, appearance of eyes, sex drive, sex activities, face, head hair, skin condition.

  • Weight concern: waist, thighs, body build, hips, legs, figure or physique, appearance of stomach, weight.

  • Physical condition: physical stamina, muscular strength, energy level, physical coordination, health, physical condition.

Men

  • Sexual attractiveness: body scent, appearance of eyes, sex drive, sex organs, sex activities, face, head hair, skin condition.

  • Upper body strength: muscular strength, biceps, body build, arms, chest or breasts.

  • Physical condition: physical stamina, reflexes, energy level, physical coordination, agility, figure or physique, appearance of stomach, health, physical condition, weight.

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Frost, K.A., Franzoi, S.L., Oswald, D.L. et al. Revising the Body Esteem Scale with a U.S. College Student Sample: Evaluation, Validation, and Uses for the BES-R. Sex Roles 78, 1–17 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-017-0776-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-017-0776-5

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