The development and initial validation of a new measure of male body dissatisfaction

The purpose of this research was to develop, and establish the initial psychometric properties of, the Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale (MBDS). Ninety-five male students were recruited over three phases. An item-remainder analysis was performed in phase I, convergent and discriminant validity assessed in phase II, and test-retest reliability and factor structure assessed in phase III. The MBDS achieved an alpha level of 0.93 and was inversely related to body esteem (p=0.02) and self-esteem (p=0.03), and positively related to how much participants' opinion of themselves was based on their body shape and weight (p<0.01). The MBDS was not related to measures of affect, and was able to distinguish between males endorsing, and not endorsing, elevated body shape and weight concerns (p<0.05). Finally, the MBDS displayed a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.96 (p<0.01). Findings suggest that the MBDS may fill the need for a reliable and valid measure of body dissatisfaction that allows men to weight particular aspects of their body image according to personal importance.