Translation and validation of an Italian version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2

Body appreciation is considered a key dimension of positive body image. Tylka and Wood-Barcalow (2015) developed the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a psychometrically sound measure to assess body appreciation. The present study examines various psychometric properties (i.e. factor structure, sex-based measurement invariance, and construct validity) of an Italian translation of the BAS-2 in a community sample (N = 601; F = 50.6 %; M-age = 25.72; SD = 4.81). Exploratory factor analyses with a randomly selected split-half subsample (n = 300; F= 50 %) supported the one-dimensional factor structure among both sexes. Confirmatory factor analyses with a second split-half subsample (n = 301; F = 51.16 %) indicated that the one-dimensional factor structure had adequate fit after some modifications were made. BAS-2 scores achieved full invariance across sex and men reported significantly higher scores than women (d = 0.45). Further, the Italian version of the BAS-2 had good internal consistency and was positively correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction, whereas negative associations were found with body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms. Results indicated that the Italian BAS-2 has good psychometric properties. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) and found that it has good reliability, validity, and sex-based measurement invariance in an Italian sample. Additionally, the BAS-2 scores were positively correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction, while negatively associated with body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms.