The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F)
BackgroundInternalized weight stigma (IWS) is generally operationalized as self-devaluation due to weight in higher-weight individuals. The most commonly used measure of IWS, the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), was developed from an original pool of 19 items. Item selection was guided by s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00808/full |
| _version_ | 1828484972656197632 |
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| author | Angela Meadows Suzanne Higgs |
| author_facet | Angela Meadows Suzanne Higgs |
| author_sort | Angela Meadows |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundInternalized weight stigma (IWS) is generally operationalized as self-devaluation due to weight in higher-weight individuals. The most commonly used measure of IWS, the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), was developed from an original pool of 19 items. Item selection was guided by statistical techniques based upon an a priori hypothesized unidimensional factor structure. The resulting 11-item scale mostly assesses appearance-related attitudes, fear of stigma, affect, and desire for change, all of which may be a natural response to societal weight stigma, even in the absence of self-devaluation. Items pertaining to self-blame, stigma awareness, perceived legitimacy of weight stigma, and most items pertaining to self-worth, were excluded from the final scale. It is unclear whether an a priori assumption of multi-dimensionality would have produced different results.MethodsExploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the original 19-item questionnaire was conducted in 931 higher-weight individuals.ResultsA 13-item two-factor structure was identified. Factor 1 comprised seven items that could be loosely conceived as weight-related distress. Factor 2 comprised six items, all of which pertained to weight-related self-worth. Tested individually, the six items making up the self-devaluation factor were an excellent fit for the data on all fit indices.ConclusionIWS is a multi-dimensional construct. The two-factor WBIS (WBIS-2F) provides options to explore the relationships between different aspects of IWS and upstream and downstream variables. The Self-Devaluation subscale is suitable for standalone use when weight-related self-devaluation per se is the construct of interest. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:05:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-00c49e699c1d41a1a989ffc21e344aaa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:05:00Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-00c49e699c1d41a1a989ffc21e344aaa2022-12-22T01:13:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782019-04-011010.3389/fpsyg.2019.00808434713The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F)Angela Meadows0Suzanne Higgs1School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United KingdomSchool of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United KingdomBackgroundInternalized weight stigma (IWS) is generally operationalized as self-devaluation due to weight in higher-weight individuals. The most commonly used measure of IWS, the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), was developed from an original pool of 19 items. Item selection was guided by statistical techniques based upon an a priori hypothesized unidimensional factor structure. The resulting 11-item scale mostly assesses appearance-related attitudes, fear of stigma, affect, and desire for change, all of which may be a natural response to societal weight stigma, even in the absence of self-devaluation. Items pertaining to self-blame, stigma awareness, perceived legitimacy of weight stigma, and most items pertaining to self-worth, were excluded from the final scale. It is unclear whether an a priori assumption of multi-dimensionality would have produced different results.MethodsExploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the original 19-item questionnaire was conducted in 931 higher-weight individuals.ResultsA 13-item two-factor structure was identified. Factor 1 comprised seven items that could be loosely conceived as weight-related distress. Factor 2 comprised six items, all of which pertained to weight-related self-worth. Tested individually, the six items making up the self-devaluation factor were an excellent fit for the data on all fit indices.ConclusionIWS is a multi-dimensional construct. The two-factor WBIS (WBIS-2F) provides options to explore the relationships between different aspects of IWS and upstream and downstream variables. The Self-Devaluation subscale is suitable for standalone use when weight-related self-devaluation per se is the construct of interest.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00808/fullinternalized weight stigmainternalized weight biasself-stigmaanti-fat attitudesfactor analysisWeight Bias Internalization Scale |
| spellingShingle | Angela Meadows Suzanne Higgs The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) Frontiers in Psychology internalized weight stigma internalized weight bias self-stigma anti-fat attitudes factor analysis Weight Bias Internalization Scale |
| title | The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) |
| title_full | The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) |
| title_fullStr | The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) |
| title_short | The Multifaceted Nature of Weight-Related Self-Stigma: Validation of the Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F) |
| title_sort | multifaceted nature of weight related self stigma validation of the two factor weight bias internalization scale wbis 2f |
| topic | internalized weight stigma internalized weight bias self-stigma anti-fat attitudes factor analysis Weight Bias Internalization Scale |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00808/full |
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