The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): Development and psychometric evaluation in U.S. community women and men

Abstract

Body functionality has been identified as an important dimension of body image that has the potential to be useful in the prevention and treatment of negative body image and in the enhancement of positive body image. Specifically, cultivating appreciation of body functionality may offset appearance concerns. However, a scale assessing this construct has yet to be developed. Therefore, we developed the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and examined its psychometric properties among three online community samples totalling 1042 women and men (ns=490 and 552, respectively). Exploratory factor analyses revealed a unidimensional structure with seven items. Confirmatory factor analysis upheld its unidimensionality and invariance across gender. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, criterion-related, and construct (convergent, discriminant, incremental) validity of its scores were upheld. The FAS is a psychometrically sound measure that is unique from existing positive body image measures. Scholars will find the FAS applicable within research and clinical settings.

A randomised-controlled trial investigating potential underlying mechanisms of a functionality-based approach to improving women’s body image

“…Future research is needed to investigate the impact of the approach in other target groups and intersecting social identities, such as in adolescents, other genders, individuals from different cultural backgrounds and professions, and those who have physical conditions that may limit their functional capacities (see Alleva et al, 2017, for a discussion). It will also be interesting to explore other ways in which a functionality-focus can be practiced, for example by actively engaging in embodying activities (e.g., Cook-Cottone et al., 2013;Halliwell, 2015;Mahlo et al, 2016;Menzel & Levine, 2011;Swami, 2017;Swami & Tovée, 2009;Tiggemann et al, 2014).…”

“…Scholars have also proposed that fitness and yoga-based programmes, as well as some forms of dance, lead to improvements in body image by shifting individuals' focus to their body functionality (e.g., Cook-Cottone, Kane, Keddie, & Haugli, 2013;Mahlo & Tiggemann, 2016;Swami & Tovée, 2009;Tiggemann, Coutts, & Clark, 2014). Alleva, Tylka, and Kroon Van Diest (2017) have also shown that appreciating the functionality of one's body is associated with various aspects of a more positive body image and well-being (e.g., broadly conceptualising beauty, self-esteem), and is inversely associated with various aspects of a more negative body image and ill-being (e.g., self-objectification, depression).…”

“…Future research should assess body functionality more holistically and assess appreciation of body functionality, which is a more inclusive concept and in line with conceptualisations of positive body image more broadly (Webb et al, 2015;Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a). The recently-developed Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS; Alleva et al, 2017) will be helpful in this regard. Last, our sample was relatively homogeneous concerning participant demographics and concerned women who wanted to improve their body image; research in more diverse samples and in universal samples is needed.…”

An uncontrolled pilot feasibility trial of an intuitive eating intervention for college women with disordered eating delivered through group and guided self‐help modalities

“…Items are measured on a 1–5 scale; higher scores reflect greater IE. The IES‐2 yields internally consistent scores in college women (α = 0.87–0.88) and has demonstrated construct and incremental validity (Alleva, Tylka, & Kroon Van Diest, 2017; Tylka & Kroon Van Diest, 2013). Average Cronbach's alpha was 0.90.…”

Motherhood status moderates the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and breast size dissatisfaction

“…We acknowledge that this study was largely exploratory, although our findings point to a number of interesting avenues that could be explored in future research. Chief among these is the impact of motherhood on embodiment, such as changes in their appreciation of the functionality of their body (Alleva, Tylka, & Kroon Van Diest, 2017) and body agency (Talmon & Ginzburg, 2018), which has received limited focus in the body image literature. Future research could also examine the potential difference between body and breast size dissatisfaction in mothers versus non-mothers, and the impact of breast feeding, time since becoming a mother, identification with the maternal role, and post-pregnancy breast changes on breast size dissatisfaction.…”