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Development and validation of body rating scales for adolescent females
D K Sherman1, W G Iacono, J M Donnelly
1Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455-0344, USA.
Objective:
This present study was designed to develop and validate rating scales for body image assessment in adolescents.
Method:
The figures of the Figure Rating Scale (FRS; Stunkard, Sorenson, & Schlusinger, The genetics of neurological and psychiatric disorders, 1983, pp. 115-129) used in previous research seem more appropriate for research with adults. Accordingly, we developed two forms of a body rating scale (BRS) depicting adolescent females and administered these scales and the FRS to 315 female subjects. The subjects comprise three age groups, 11-year-olds, 17-year-olds, and their mothers, all participants in the epidemiologically based Minnesota Twin Family Study. Two independent observers also rated each subject.
Results:
Intercorrelations among raters and scales and with body mass index were generally high and indicate comparability between the BRS measures and the FRS.
Discussion:
The generally excellent psychometric properties of the new scales coupled with their face validity may make them a useful tool for body image research in children and adolescents.