Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Sandoz, E. K., Wilson, K. G., & Merwin, R. M. (Under Revision).  Assessment of Body Image Flexibility: The Body Image - Acceptance and Action Questionnaire.

Sandoz, E. K. (2010). Assessment of Body Image Flexibility: An Evaluation The Body Image - Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Unpublished dissertation. University of Mississippi.
 
Body image disturbance is when an individual’s experience of the physical self becomes problematic because of its inaccuracy, associated distress, and/or disruption of other areas of functioning. Emerging treatments for body image disturbance target the rigidity of cognitive and behavioral patterns, teaching individuals to become more open to and flexible with the experience.  To evaluate this model of body image disturbance, it will be important to demonstrate not only positive outcomes, but the processes that account for these outcomes. Three studies were conducted in an attempt to develop a psychometrically sound measure of body image flexibility, the Body Image - Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ). Study one focused on the generation and reduction of items for the BI-AAQ and a demonstration of its concurrent validity.  Body image flexibility was shown to be associated with overall psychological flexibility, body image dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and other psychological and social difficulties. Study two demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability of BI-AAQ. Study three replicated and extended the findings with respect to concurrent validity. Research and clinical utility of the BI-AAQ are discussed along with theoretical and treatment implications of the findings.

The BI-AAQ is linked below in .pdf format below and is downloadable for members. All items are reverse-scored to yield a score for body image acceptance.

Also linked below is a modified version of the BI-AAQ that does not refer specifically to weight and shape.

Finally, my complete dissertation manuscript which included all three psychometric studies is below. (I will replace this with the article manuscript as soon as it is updated.

Contact Emily Sandoz with questions, comments, or requests for the working manuscript: eksandoz@olemiss.edu