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Development and validation of the mirror image comfort and avoidance scale (MICAS)
Wyona M Freysteinson1, Rebecca Keele2, Paul Yeatts3
1Nelda C. Stark College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX, USA.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed the Mirror Comfort and Avoidance Scale (MICAS) to measure the psychological impact of viewing one's reflection after trauma. This validated instrument helps assess mirror viewing experiences in clinical and research settings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Individuals experiencing body trauma or disfigurement often face psychological distress when viewing their reflection.
- This distress can stem from neurological disruptions affecting the autonomic nervous system, leading to negative psychological outcomes.
- Existing scales do not specifically address the unique challenges of mirror-viewing experiences post-trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an instrument measuring the experience of viewing one's reflection in a mirror.
- To assess mirror-viewing comfort and avoidance in individuals with psychological or bodily trauma.
- To explore demographic variations in mirror-viewing experiences.
Main Methods:
- Instrument development involved content expert validation.
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on two distinct populations.
- Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were assessed.
Main Results:
- A 17-item instrument, the Mirror Comfort and Avoidance Scale (MICAS), was validated.
- The scale comprises a mirror viewing comfort subscale (9 items) and a mirror avoidance subscale (8 items).
- Both subscales demonstrated high reliability (α=0.90 and α=0.94, respectively) and strong test-retest reliability.
Conclusions:
- The MICAS provides a reliable measure for assessing mirror-viewing experiences in clinical practice and research.
- It can be used as a manipulation check or outcome measure in interventions aimed at improving mirror-viewing experiences.
- The scale aids clinicians and researchers in understanding and addressing the psychological impact of body image changes due to trauma.
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