Age differences and structural validity for the Greek version of the Body Cathexis Scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Body Image Research
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) is a widely used measure of body satisfaction.
• Validating cross-cultural versions of psychological instruments is crucial for broader applicability.
• Understanding factors influencing body satisfaction is important for mental health and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the internal structure and psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Body Cathexis Scale.
• To investigate potential age differences in body satisfaction among women.
• To identify the primary factors contributing to body satisfaction in a Greek female population.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 152 women (aged 18-45) participating in physical fitness programs completed the Greek BCS.
• Internal consistency was assessed using item analysis, split-half reliability, and Cronbach's alpha.
• Factor analysis was employed to determine the underlying structure of the scale.
• Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine age differences.

Main Results:

• The Greek BCS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .92, split-half r = .89).
• Factor analysis revealed six distinct factors: Physical Fitness, Total Appearance, Health and Skills, Face, Ears and Chin, and Extremities, explaining 52.5% of the variance.
• Women reported higher body satisfaction related to Health and Skills, Ears and Chin, and Extremities.
• No significant differences in body satisfaction were found across age groups.

Conclusions:

• The Greek version of the Body Cathexis Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring body satisfaction in Greek women.
• Body satisfaction is multidimensional, with specific factors like health, skills, and certain physical attributes being more positively evaluated.
• Age does not appear to be a significant moderator of body satisfaction in this population.