Body Image Assessments: BIDQ

It is common in the research literature to equate “negative body image” with body image dissatisfaction. Such a simplistic definition is problematic. As Cash and colleagues have argued, negative body image or “body image disturbance” entails body image dissatisfaction, distress (or dysphoria), and dysfunction (or impairment). The Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ), derived from modifications of Phillips’ Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire, uniquely assesses this construct. The BIDQ contains seven scaled items that pertain to appearance-related concerns, mental preoccupation with these concerns, associated experiences of emotional distress, resultant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, interference with social life or with school, job, or role functioning, and consequential behavioral avoidance. Five additional items ask for an open-ended clarification of responses that can be informative in clinical contexts or qualitative research. Research establishes that the measure has excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Its validity has been established vis-à-vis significant relationships with other relevant measures of body image (evaluation, investment, affect, and body image quality of life), as well as with measures of psychosocial functioning (e.g., self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disturbance). Ongoing, unpublished research has established its utility with various clinical groups (e.g., persons with body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, etc.). It is appropriate for both sexes and for late adolescents and adults. The BIDQ is self-administered in about five minutes

Purchasers of the BIDQ receive the questionnaire and scoring instructions. Rather than receiving a manual, you are referred to the following published articles for more psychometric details on the measure:

Cash, T.F., Phillips, K.A., Santos, M.T., & Hrabosky, J.I. (2004). Measuring “negative body image”: Validation of the body image disturbance questionnaire in a non-clinical population. Body Image: An International Journal of Research, 1, 363-372.

Cash, T.F., & Grasso, K. (2005). The norms and stability of new measures of the multidimensional body image construct. Body Image: An International Journal of Research, 2, issue 2.

The BIDQ, with scoring and normative information, is available for a nominal fee. Purchasers are permitted limited duplication of the questionnaires for research or clinical purposes. Conditions of use are as follows:

• Period of use is limited to two (2) years.
  
• Duplication of copies exceeding 1000 requires the author's written permission.
  
• Distribution for use by others is prohibited.
  
• Modification of the questionnaire items is prohibited. 
  
• Use in online surveys is acceptable if the survey is posted on a restricted site (i.e., not posted on an open website).
• Any commercial use of the materials, other than use in academic research or clinical practice, is prohibited.
  
• Any document (i.e., technical report, thesis, dissertation, or published article) resulting from use of the assessment must include its proper citation.

If you wish to order and print the BIDQ and the scoring instructions, and you agree to the above terms, CLICK the following link and provide the necessary information as requested.