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Brazilian version of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS): translation and psychometric properties in adults

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Abstract

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.

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Notes

  1. Even though the two items were excluded from the EFA, the Self-Classified Weight subscale was retained in the final version of the questionnaire for further analyses.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Jéssica Cristina Pretel Maganha and Marianna Carolina Jardim Mondin for their assistance in participants’ recruitment and data collection. We also acknowledge the financial support given by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo–FAPESP (Process 2013/04357-0) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico–CNPq (Process 151453/2013-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil

    Maria Fernanda Laus, Lucas D. M. F. Vales, Natasha G. Oliveira & Sebastião S. Almeida

  2. Nutrition Course, University of Ribeirão Preto, Av. Costábile Romano, 2201, Ribeirania, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14096-000, Brazil

    Telma M. Braga Costa

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  1. Maria Fernanda Laus
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  2. Lucas D. M. F. Vales
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  3. Natasha G. Oliveira
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  4. Telma M. Braga Costa
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  5. Sebastião S. Almeida
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Correspondence to Maria Fernanda Laus.

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Conflict of interest

The study was financially supported by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo–FAPESP and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico–CNPq. FAPESP and CNPq had no role in study design, data collection, analysis or interpretation, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the paper for publication. Therefore, all authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical statements

All procedures performed in the study were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by the Academic and Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (protocol no. 12804913.0.0000.5407).

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Laus, M.F., Vales, L.D.M.F., Oliveira, N.G. et al. Brazilian version of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS): translation and psychometric properties in adults. Eat Weight Disord 25, 1253–1266 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00758-w

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