Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire

Abstract

The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) is a widely used psychological scale designed to provide a comprehensive, multidimensional attitudinal assessment of the human body experience, commonly referred to as body image. Developed by Thomas F. Cash and colleagues, the MBSRQ moves beyond simple measures of body dissatisfaction to assess specific cognitive, affective, and behavioral components related to appearance, physical fitness, health, and illness orientation. It is recognized for its ability to generate a nuanced profile of an individual’s self-evaluation regarding their physical self.

Keywords

Body image, MBSRQ, body dissatisfaction, self-concept, appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, health attitudes, psychological assessment.

Authors

Thomas F. Cash, T. A. Brown, P. J. Mikulka.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the MBSRQ is to measure the complex construct of body image by differentiating between various underlying dimensions of self-perception. Unlike earlier instruments that focused narrowly on weight or shape dissatisfaction, the MBSRQ aims to capture both appearance-related attitudes and non-appearance-related attitudes, such as physical fitness, health, and illness vulnerability.

This scale is crucial for research in areas such as eating disorders, self-esteem, health psychology, and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions targeting body acceptance or appearance management behaviors. By providing distinct subscale scores, the MBSRQ facilitates detailed clinical and research analysis regarding specific facets of body-self relations.

Construct

The MBSRQ measures the global psychological construct of Body-Self Relations, which encompasses an individual’s subjective experiences, feelings, and behaviors related to their body. This construct is typically broken down into multiple primary subscales, which fall into distinct categories:

• Appearance Evaluation (AE): Satisfaction or dissatisfaction with one’s physical appearance.
• Appearance Orientation (AO): The degree of investment in and importance placed upon one’s appearance, including related behaviors like grooming and clothing choices.
• Fitness Evaluation (FE): Feelings of satisfaction regarding physical conditioning, strength, and endurance.
• Fitness Orientation (FO): Behavioral investment in physical activity and exercise.
• Health Evaluation (HE): Feelings about one’s general physical health status and wellness.
• Illness Orientation (IO): The degree of worry about being sick, vulnerable to disease, and attention paid to physical symptoms.
• Body Area Satisfaction Scale (BASS): Measures satisfaction across specific body parts (e.g., face, torso, weight).
• Overweight Preoccupation (OP): Cognitive and affective concerns about being or becoming overweight, including dieting behaviors.
• Self-Classified Weight (SCW) and Actual-Ideal Weight Discrepancy (AIWD).

Validity

The MBSRQ has demonstrated strong construct validity across numerous studies. The initial factor analysis by Brown, Cash, and Mikulka (1990) confirmed that the scale effectively measures the hypothesized multidimensional structure of body image, supporting the theoretical distinction between appearance attitudes and attitudes concerning health and fitness.

Furthermore, the scale exhibits sound convergent and discriminant validity. For example, the Appearance Evaluation subscale consistently correlates positively with measures of global self-esteem and general body dissatisfaction, while the Fitness Orientation subscale correlates with actual exercise habits, confirming that each subscale measures its intended unique psychological domain.

Reliability

The MBSRQ demonstrates excellent psychometric properties, particularly concerning internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Across diverse research samples, the internal consistency (as measured by Cronbach’s alpha) for the primary subscales typically falls within the range of 0.80 to 0.95, indicating that the items within each dimension reliably measure the same underlying construct.

The stability of the instrument over time is also well-established, with test-retest correlation coefficients generally exceeding 0.70 when measured over several weeks. This high degree of reliability confirms that the MBSRQ provides consistent and stable measurement of enduring body-self attitudes.

Factor Analysis

The original factor analysis conducted during the scale’s development by Brown, Cash, and Mikulka (1990) was instrumental in establishing the instrument’s structure. This analysis supported the clear separation of body image into several distinct components, leading to the formalized nine-factor model that underlies the current version of the MBSRQ.

This robust factor structure differentiates between evaluative components (how satisfied one is) and orientation components (how much one invests behaviorally). Subsequent confirmatory factor analyses in diverse populations have largely supported the stability and generalizability of this model, making it a reliable tool for measuring the complex interplay of body-self attitudes.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report questionnaire, Attitudinal assessment.

Format: 69 total items utilizing a mixture of response formats, including 5-point Likert-type scales (agreement/disagreement, satisfaction/dissatisfaction) and frequency/self-classification items.

Language Available: English (original), Spanish, and various other translations used globally in research.

Population Group: General population, frequently used in college student samples and with clinical populations exhibiting body image concerns or eating disorders.

Age Group: Older adolescents and Adults.

Population Details: Applicable to both male and female populations, though scoring norms and certain subscale emphases may differ by gender.

Test Methodology: Typically administered via pencil-and-paper or digital format. Scoring involves summing or averaging items within each subscale, with specific items requiring reverse scoring.

Keywords

Psychological assessment, body image measurement, appearance orientation, eating disorders, self-esteem, physical fitness, health psychology.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified in source content.

Correspondence Address: Not specified in source content (Thomas F. Cash, Ph.D., is generally affiliated with Old Dominion University).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was formally validated in 1990, with a significant revision (Third Revision) published in 2000 (Cash, 2000). The MBSRQ User’s Manual (Third Revision) provides detailed instructions for administration and scoring. Usage typically requires permission from the primary author, Thomas F. Cash, although it is often available for non-commercial academic research at no cost.

The instrument can be found in academic literature, including pages 157-158 of The development and validation of the Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale, available online here: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2076&context=etd

The original PDF containing the instrument can be downloaded here: http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/natalia-rojas-segura-Thesis_final.pdf

Reference’s

• Brown, T. A., Cash, T. F., & Mikulka, P. J. (1990). Attitudinal body-image assessment: Factor analysis of the Body Self-Relations Questionnaire. Journal of Personality Assessment, 55, 135-144.
• Cash, T. F. (2000). The multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. MBSRQ User’s Manual, Third Revision.
• Cash, T. F. IN: Fischer, J.; Corcoran, K. J. (2007). Measures for clinical practice and research: A sourcebook. (4th ed.). NY. Oxford University Pr. Vol. 2, Page (s): 490-493.
• Segura. R. Natalia. (2009). ATTITUDES TOWARDS BODY SIZE AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AMONG COLOMBIAN AND AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: A MULTI-CULTURAL STUDY. San Marcos, Texas.

Items of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Appearance Evaluation subscale (MBSRQ-AE)

1. My body is sexually appealing.
2. I like my looks just the way they are.
3. Most people would consider me good-looking.
4. I like the way I look without my clothes on.
5. I like the way my clothes fit me.
6. I dislike my physique.
7. I am physically unattractive.

Appearance Orientation Subscale (MBSRQ-AO)

1. Before going out in public‚ I always notice how I look.
2. I am careful to buy clothes that will make me look my best.
3. I check my appearance in a mirror whenever I can.
4. Before going out‚ I usually spend a lot of time getting ready.
5. It is important that I always look good.
6. I use very few grooming products.
7. I am self-conscious if my grooming isn’t right.
8. I usually wear whatever is handy without caring how it looks.
9. I don’t care what people think about my appearance.
10. I take special care with my hair grooming.
11. I never think about my appearance.
12. I am always trying to improve my physical appearance.

Items 1-57 (Response Scale: 1=Definitely Disagree‚ 2=Mostly Disagree‚ 3=Neither Agree Nor Disagree‚ 4=Mostly Agree‚ 5=Definitely Agree)

1. Before going out in public‚ I always notice how I look.
2. I am careful to buy clothes that will make me look my best.
3. I would pass most physical-fitness tests.
4. It is important that I have superior physical strength.
5. My body is sexually appealing.
6. I am not involved in a regular exercise program.
7. I am in control of my health.
8. I know a lot about things that affect my physical health
9. I have deliberately developed a healthy lifestyle.
10. I constantly worry about being or becoming fat.
11. I like my looks just the way they are.
12. I check my appearance in a mirror whenever I can.
13. Before going out‚ I usually spend a lot of time getting ready.
14. My physical endurance is good.
15. Participating in sports is unimportant to me.
16. I do not actively do things to keep physically fit.
17. My health is a matter of unexpected ups and downs.
18. Good health is one of the most important things in my life.
19. I don’t do anything that I know might threaten my health.
20. I am very conscious of even small changes in my weight.
21. Most people would consider me good-looking.
22. It is important that I always look good.
23. I use very few grooming products.
24. I easily learn physical skills.
25. Being physically fit is not a strong priority in my life.
26. I do things to increase my physical strength.
27. I am seldom physically ill.
28. I take my health for granted.
29. I often read books and magazines that pertain to health.
30. I like the way I look without my clothes on.
31. I am self-conscious if my grooming isn’t right.
32. I usually wear whatever is handy without caring how it looks.
33. I do poorly in physical sports or games.
34. I seldom think about my athletic skills.
35. I work to improve my physical stamina.
36. From day to day‚ I never know how my body will feel.
37. If I am sick‚ I don’t pay much attention to my symptoms.
38. I make no special effort to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
39. I like the way my clothes fit me.
40. I don’t care what people think about my appearance.
41. I take special care with my hair grooming.
42. I dislike my physique.
43. I don’t care to improve my abilities in physical activities.
44. I try to be physically active.
45. I often feel vulnerable to sickness.
46. I pay close attention to my body for any signs of illness.
47. If I’m coming down with a cold or flu‚ I just ignore it and go on as usual.
48. I am physically unattractive.
49. I never think about my appearance.
50. I am always trying to improve my physical appearance.
51. I am very well coordinated.
52. I know a lot about physical fitness.
53. I play a sport regularly throughout the year.
54. I am a physically healthy person.
55. I am very aware of small changes in my physical health.
56. At the first sign of illness‚ I seek medical advice.
57. I am on a weight-loss diet.

Items 58-60 (Specific Response Scales)

58. I have tried to lose weight by fasting or going on crash diets.

1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Often
5. Very Often

59. I think I am:

1. Very Underweight
2. Somewhat Underweight
3. Normal Weight
4. Somewhat Overweight
5. Very Overweight

60. From looking at me‚ most other people would think I am:

1. Very Underweight
2. Somewhat Underweight
3. Normal Weight
4. Somewhat Overweight
5. Very Overweight

Items 61-69 (Body Area Satisfaction Scale – BASS)

Use this 1 to 5 scale to indicate how dissatisfied or satisfied you are with each of the following areas or aspects of your body: 1=Very Dissatisfied‚ 2=Mostly Dissatisfied‚ 3=Neither Satisfied nor dissatisfied‚ 4= Mostly satisfied‚ 5=Very Satisfied

61. Face (facial features‚ complexion)
62. Hair (color‚ thickness‚ texture)
63. Lower torso (buttocks‚ hips‚ thighs‚ legs)
64. Mid torso (waist‚ stomach)
65. Upper torso (chest or breasts‚ shoulders‚ arms)
66. Muscle tone
67. Weight
68. Height
69. Overall appearance