Adolescence witnesses frequent appearance comparisons, which may expose individuals to adverse mental health outcomes; hence the relevance of expanding research in this area. The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale – 3 (PACS-3) is a valuable tool for evaluating the frequency of such comparisons, yet its factor structure remains unexplored in the Italian context. Therefore, this study involved a nonclinical sample of Italian adolescents to validate the PACS-3 Frequency scale and examine its associations with measures of Eating Disorder (ED) symptoms, positive body image, and self-esteem. 599 students (41.9% boys) aged 11-19 (M = 15.9 ± 2.29) completed the PACS-3 along with questionnaires assessing the abovementioned constructs. To test the factor structure of the PACS-3 Frequency scale, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted. Moreover, reliability and validity were addressed. The original three-factor structure of the PACS-3 Frequency scale (i.e., Proximal, Distal, and Muscular) was supported. The three factors also resulted highly correlated, justifying a Total Frequency score. The subscales and the total score demonstrated excellent internal consistency (ω from 0.91 to 0.93). Furthermore, significant negative correlations were found with self-esteem and positive body image (r from -0.26 to -0.51), while significant positive associations emerged with ED symptoms (r from 0.27 to 0.60). Our findings support the use of the PACS-3 Frequency scale to assess appearance comparisons frequency among Italian adolescents. Clinically, a high comparison frequency emerged as a risk factor for psychological wellbeing, potentially exacerbating body image concerns, self-esteem issues, and maladaptive eating behaviors. Therefore, preventive interventions addressing appearance comparisons in adolescents are recommended.
Insight into the frequency of appearance comparisons in Italian adolescents: Exploring its associations with eating disorder symptoms, positive body image, and self-esteem using the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale -3
Sara Iannattone;Silvia Cerea;Gioia Bottesi
2024
Abstract
Adolescence witnesses frequent appearance comparisons, which may expose individuals to adverse mental health outcomes; hence the relevance of expanding research in this area. The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale – 3 (PACS-3) is a valuable tool for evaluating the frequency of such comparisons, yet its factor structure remains unexplored in the Italian context. Therefore, this study involved a nonclinical sample of Italian adolescents to validate the PACS-3 Frequency scale and examine its associations with measures of Eating Disorder (ED) symptoms, positive body image, and self-esteem. 599 students (41.9% boys) aged 11-19 (M = 15.9 ± 2.29) completed the PACS-3 along with questionnaires assessing the abovementioned constructs. To test the factor structure of the PACS-3 Frequency scale, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted. Moreover, reliability and validity were addressed. The original three-factor structure of the PACS-3 Frequency scale (i.e., Proximal, Distal, and Muscular) was supported. The three factors also resulted highly correlated, justifying a Total Frequency score. The subscales and the total score demonstrated excellent internal consistency (ω from 0.91 to 0.93). Furthermore, significant negative correlations were found with self-esteem and positive body image (r from -0.26 to -0.51), while significant positive associations emerged with ED symptoms (r from 0.27 to 0.60). Our findings support the use of the PACS-3 Frequency scale to assess appearance comparisons frequency among Italian adolescents. Clinically, a high comparison frequency emerged as a risk factor for psychological wellbeing, potentially exacerbating body image concerns, self-esteem issues, and maladaptive eating behaviors. Therefore, preventive interventions addressing appearance comparisons in adolescents are recommended.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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