Body image perception as predictor of positive and negative self-concept scale for young adults (BIPS)

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-10-2020-0094
• Published date: 10 June 2021
• Date: 10 June 2021
• Pages: 227-244
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Inequalities & diverse/minority groups,Sociology,Race & ethnic studies,Minorities,Multiculturalism,Racial identity,Work,economy & organizations
• Author: Syeda Hira Fatima,Muhammad Aqeel,Aamna Anwar,Mahnoor Tariq

Body image perception as predictor of

positive and negative self-concept

scale for young adults (BIPS)

Syeda Hira Fatima, Muhammad Aqeel, Aamna Anwar and Mahnoor Tariq

Abstract

Purpose –Body image perception is a complex cognitive process that involves several different

dimensions. This has necessitated several studies to have different findings about each dimension,

therefore. This is becausebody image perception is a continuous and constantlyevolving process. The

development of self-concept depends largely on positive or negative perception of body image in

today’s time. This paper aims to develop an instrument to measure beliefs and attitudes of people

involved in the perception of bodyimage, defined as the perception that a person has of their physical

self and thethoughts and feelings that result into a positiveor negative self-concept.

Design/methodology/approach –The factorial structure, reliability, content validity and impact of

gender on factor structure of body image perception scale (BIPS) were examined among university

students (N=200) in study, with male (n= 100) and female (n= 100) population. Self-made instrument

BIPS wasused.

Findings –Exploratory factor analysis using direct obliman method based on principal component analysis

indicated a three-factor, 20-item scale including subscales 1) negative feeling; 2) public perception; and 3)

future success. BIPS exhibited decent reliability (0.789) and content validity in both male and female

university students, suggesting a highly significant difference between the two genders on BIPS.

Research limitations/implications –The major limitation was that the sample was obtained from student

population; therefore, it will not be entirely correct to generalize it to the wholepopulation of Pakistan. Future

studies need to include samples from different populations in Pakistan to bring out a more generalized view

and try to minimize the variances in sample as much as possible for better results. Finally, the sample was

drawn only from educated and young adult males and females (age ranging 17–28). Middle age and old

age people must be included in future study. Also, in this study incremental and discriminant validity can be

computed by comparing results on BIPS with any other body image questionnaire.

Practical implications –This standard instrument can be efficiently used for the research purpose and will

enable the researcher to identify the positive and negativefeelings and attitudes of male and females towards

their body image and towards the development of healthy self-concept. The scale can be used by clinical

psychologists and medical healthprofessionals to help assess and treat their patients more accurately.

Originality/value –All in all, it can be suggested that the findings received illu strated that body image

perception differs significantly among both men an d women in Pakistani culture. The newly established

version of BIPS with its high reliability indicates that the scale can be used in futu re as well with diverse

populations to assess whether which among them hold either posit ive or negative self-concept of themselves

based on their body image perceptions. Moreover, as the psychometric strength of the scale is well

established, it can be used with future researches by health p sychologists, dietitians and nutritionists to identify

body image concerns among young males and females, especi ally in individuals with eating disorders.

Keywords Exploratory factor analysis, Item response theory, Body image perception, Item pool

Paper type Research paper

Introduction

In recent times, body image perception and its relation to self-concept has gained

importance on a wide scale. Still certaindiscrepancies are left creating gaps in the literature

Syeda Hira Fatima,

Muhammad Aqeel,

Aamna Anwar and

Mahnoor Tariq are all

based at the Department of

Psychology, Foundation

University, Islamabad,

Pakistan.

Received 21 October 2020

Revised 26 January 2021

3 March 2021

Accepted 26 March 2021

DOI 10.1108/IJHRH-10-2020-0094 VOL. 15 NO. 3 2022, pp. 227-244, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-4902 jINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN HEALTHCARE jPAGE 227

which we aim to fill in for. Body image is one of the significant components of the

individual’s self-concept that provides the opportunity to reach a more healthy physical and

mental state. In this way, the perception of our body and those feelings, which are

associated with this image greatly influence not only our self-concept but also reflect a

greater shade on an individual’s entire life. The current study is being done to understand

better the relationship between body image and self-concept as well as to provide a more

effective assistance for individuals with negative self-concept that is based on poor body

image.

The National Eating Disorder Association, American NGO (2005) defines body image as

how you observe or identify yourself when you come across in the mirror or what you

imagine or experience about your own physical appearances, including your weight,

height, body shape, assumptions, generalizations and memories. It is all about the mental

picture you make in your mind about your appearances. According to Carl Rogers (1959),

self-concept basically is an umbrella term that embodies a lot of other minor terms like self-

image (how you see yourself), self-esteem (the extent to which you valueyourself) and ideal

self (what you wish you were really like).According to Rogers, one’s self-concept influences

how one regards both oneself and one’s environment. The self-concept of a mentally

healthy person is consistent with his or her thoughts, experiences and behavior. Self-

concept is defined as the value that an individual place on his or her own characteristics,

qualities, abilities and actions (Woolfolk, 2001). Self-concept is not innate, but is developed

or constructed by the individual through interaction with the environment and reflecting on

that interaction. This aspect of self-concept is important because it indicates that it can be

modified or changed (Franken,2003).

Body image which is defined as how one perceives, thinks and feels about one’sown body

and physical appearance based largely on evaluative judgments about how one is

perceived by others. The concept of body image is usedin numerous disciplines, including

psychology, medicine, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, philosophy, cultural and feminist

studies. The term is also often used in the media. A person’s sense of their own physical

appearance, usually in relation to others or in relation to some cultural “ideal” can shape

their body image. Body image is a complex set of perceptions and attitudes toward size,

shape, aesthetics and experience of one’sbody(

Keeton et al.,2005). Body image is a

subjective concept, produced by inter- and intra-personal dynamics, and not actual

physical body or outsider’s impression of it (Cash and Pruzinsky, 1991;Hutchinson and

Rapee, 2007).

Literature review

According to Tiggemann and McGill (2014), body image is not just a cognitive construct,

but also a reflection of attitudes and interactions with others. The tendency to link physical

attractiveness with positive personal qualities has become a cultural stereotype, not only in

western culture but also globally. The avalanche of perfect bodies in mass media,

advertising and social media is burdensome to the subconscious, causing people to

accept that “what is beautiful is good,” with physical attractiveness often being linked with

success.

Dolto (1984) has developed a theory of unconsciousbody image. Negative perceptions of a

person’s body image, such as a perception that they are fat, can in some cases lead to

mental disorders such as depression or eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, though

there can be a variety of different reasons why these disorders can occur. Studies have

found that females tend to think more about their body shape and endorse thinner figures

than men even into old age (Ferraro et al., 2008).Abell and Richards (2010) found that men

are significantly more dissatisfied than women with their weight, as men reported desire to

be heavier. Both men and women reported a positive significant relationship between

overall body image and self-concept. Further, women who expressed greater

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