Abstract

PIMENTA, Filipa et al. Development and validation of the appearance beliefs scale in middle-age. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.3, pp.625-639.  Epub Dec 31, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230304.

This study aimed to develop and validate the Appearance Beliefs Scale (ABS), a short eight-item measure with a sample of 530 middle-aged Portuguese adults aged between 40 and 59 years old. The construct validity was assessed through Confirmatory Factorial Analysis. Reliability, criterion-related validity, sensitivity, as well as measurement invariance were also explored. The analysis indicated a first-order hierarchical structure with two first-order factors: importance attributed to appearance and satisfaction with appearance. The Appearance Beliefs Scale showed evidence of high reliability, sensitivity, as well as factorial, convergent and criterion validity, enabling a sex-based comparison in research with middle-aged participants. Future studies exploring psychometrics properties with a larger sample size are needed, including adults from young and late adulthood. Comparisons between these different developmental stages could provide pertinent information about generational differences in appearance-related beliefs.

Keywords : Appearance Beliefs Scale; Assessment; Men; Women; Middle-aged.

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