The Development and Standardization of an Indian Positive Body Image Scale: An Exploratory Research

Body image is an integral component of the self-concept that significantly shapes human functioning and people’s life outcomes. Although negative body image is well-studied, there is little research on positive body image. This study examined the basic characteristics of positive body image to standardize a scale for it.

We used an exploratory research design, a variant of mixed methods design. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 17 men and 18 women aged 21 to 30 years were selected according to the screening criteria based on the results of the body mass index and the Body Appreciation Scale. The semi-structured interviews were conducted, followed by their verbatim description of developing themes and basic descriptions of positive body image. The second phase involved 507 participants (268 males and 239 females) aged 20 to 35 years, who were administered the newly developed positive body image scale and general health and quality of life measures for validation.

Several theoretically sound and practically relevant positive body image characteristics were identified. The main themes identified in the first phase were a phenomenon with complex facets, connected to the self, social realities, life outcomes, health practices, and social relevance. The second phase led to developing a new 24-item positive body image scale that included two components: body appreciation and body effectiveness. It had desirable psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability showed significant levels, while correlation coefficients of the derived measure with general health and quality of life demonstrated its validity.

A positive body image is a multifaceted construct associated with self-enhancement, health, life success, and relationships. A psychometrically appropriate measure of positive body image was standardized. The study results can have implications for health research and practice.