The body esteem scale: multidimensional structure and sex differences in a college population
Abstract
Norms and reliability and validity data are presented for an objectively scored Body Esteem Scale. Factor analysis of the scale revealed that body esteem is a multidimensional construct which differs for males and females. For males, the body esteem dimensions dealt with physical attractiveness, upper body strength, and physical condition. For females, the dimensions dealt with sexual attractiveness, weight concern, and physical condition. The three aspects of males' body esteem were more highly intercorrelated than those of the females, indicating a greater degree of body esteem differentiation for females than for males.
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In Study 1, the Body-Esteem Scale may be less sensitive to the kinds of upward comparisons users are exposed to on Instagram because it assesses satisfaction with specific body parts and may not reflect appearance-focused comparisons.
“The Body-Esteem Scale (Franzoi and Shields, 1984) assesses satisfaction with specific body parts (e.g., feet, arms), which may not reflect the appearance-focused comparisons prevalent on Instagram. As such, this scale may be less sensitive to the kinds of upward comparisons users are exposed to.”
From The associations between social comparison on social media and young adults’ mental health (2025) · cites this paper as Franzoi and Shields, 1984
The physical self-esteem measure in Study 1 had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.90).
“Participants completed the Body-Esteem scale (α = 0.90)”
From The associations between social comparison on social media and young adults’ mental health (2025) · cites this paper as Franzoi and Shields, 1984
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- Authors
- Franzoi, S. L., & Shields, S. A.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Bloomington (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality Assessment
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1984-04
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 173-178
- ISSN
- 0022-3891 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7752
- OpenAlex
- W2091117084
- Cited by
- 1,015
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 45
- FWCI
- 7.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality Assessment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH014588)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Keywords
- body esteem, Body Esteem Scale, sex differences, multidimensional construct, physical attractiveness, sexual attractiveness, weight concern, physical condition, upper body strength, university students, reliability statistics, validity
- MeSH terms
- Body Constitution, Body Image, Female, Humans, Male, Personality Inventory, Physical Fitness, Psychometrics, Self Concept, Sex Factors
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