Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-5: An Abbreviation Using Genetic Algorithms.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Body image concerns are often associated with negative psychological outcomes.
• Psychological flexibility allows individuals to pursue valued goals despite body dissatisfaction.
• The Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ) is a key measure of this flexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a brief, 5-item version of the BI-AAQ (BI-AAQ-5) using genetic algorithms.
• To assess the psychometric properties and discriminant validity of the BI-AAQ-5.
• To confirm the utility of the BI-AAQ-5 as a measure of body image flexibility.

Main Methods:

• A 12-item BI-AAQ was abbreviated to a 5-item short form (BI-AAQ-5) using genetic algorithms on a US community sample (N1=538).
• Validation was performed on an independent US community sample (N2=762).
• Factor structure, correlations with relevant constructs (body image dissatisfaction, stigma, self-compassion, mental health), and discriminant validity were examined.

Main Results:

• The BI-AAQ-5 demonstrated comparable factor structure and correlations with theoretically relevant variables as the full BI-AAQ.
• Body image flexibility, measured by both BI-AAQ and BI-AAQ-5, was associated with criterion variables, even when controlling for body image dissatisfaction.
• The BI-AAQ-5 showed potential discriminant validity, supporting its use as a concise alternative to the BI-AAQ.

Conclusions:

• The BI-AAQ-5 is a psychometrically sound and valid short-form measure of body image flexibility.
• This brief measure is suitable for assessing psychological flexibility in the context of body image concerns.
• Body image flexibility is a distinct construct from body image dissatisfaction and is linked to positive functioning.