Tie Measurement of Social Physique Anxiety

Abstract

A 12-item self-report scale was developed to assess the degree to which people become anxious when others observe or evaluate their physiques. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) demonstrated both high internal and test-retest reliability. It also correlated appropriately with concerns regarding others' evaluations and with feelings about one's body. Validity data showed that women who scored high on the SPAS were heavier and had a higher percentage of body fat than those who scored lower. In addition, high scorers reported significantly greater anxiety during a real evaluation of their physiques, further supporting the validity of the scale. Possible uses of the SPAS in basic research involving physique anxiety and in applied fitness settings are discussed.

The Social Appearance Anxiety Scale in Italian Adolescent Populations: Construct Validation and Group Discrimination in Community and Clinical Eating Disorders Samples

“…Most of the available research examining SAA has been focused on social physique anxiety as measured by the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) [25]. However, this measure was constructed to assess negative thoughts about one's physique and discomfort during a physique evaluation [25].…”

“…Most of the available research examining SAA has been focused on social physique anxiety as measured by the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) [25]. However, this measure was constructed to assess negative thoughts about one's physique and discomfort during a physique evaluation [25]. It refers specifically to body form and structure (i.e., body fat/weight, muscle tone; e.g., ''There are times when I am bothered by thoughts that other people are evaluating my weight or muscular development negatively'') without taking into account other aspects of appearance, such as shape of facial features and complexion [24,25].…”

“…However, this measure was constructed to assess negative thoughts about one's physique and discomfort during a physique evaluation [25]. It refers specifically to body form and structure (i.e., body fat/weight, muscle tone; e.g., ''There are times when I am bothered by thoughts that other people are evaluating my weight or muscular development negatively'') without taking into account other aspects of appearance, such as shape of facial features and complexion [24,25]. Furthermore, there is controversy surrounding its factor structure [26], and recent findings from structural equation modeling analyses on adults' data indicated that it might be better thought of as an indicator of negative body image than as a social anxiety construct [24].…”

Drive for Muscularity: Um Estudo Exploratório no Exército Brasileiro

“…Consegue-se interpretar esse cluster quando se considera que os militares, ao longo de sua carreira, são submetidos à avaliação de desempenho físico, a fim de verificar seu condicionamento físico. A ansiedade físico-social é um tipo de ansiedade que pode-se vivenciar em resposta à avaliação de uma outra pessoa sobre a sua aparência/seu físico (Hart et al, 1989), ou seja, refere-se de forma específica à ansiedade sentida quando a aparência e as funções corporais são analisadas. As avaliações da aptidão física, regularmente conduzidas ao longo da carreira militar, são o cenário de fundo propício para a vivência da ansiedade físico social.…”

“…Versão Brasileira da Social Physique Anxiety Scale -SPAS (Hart, Leary, & Rejesky, 1989;versão para o Brasil: Campana, Tavares, & Silva, 2011). A SPAS foi criada para avaliar o grau de ansiedade que uma pessoa experimenta quando outros estão observando ou avaliando o seu corpo.…”