Psychometric evaluation of the body image concern inventory in an undergraduate sample

Background: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI); a self-report measure of dysmorphic appearance concern. Methods: Internal consistency, concurrent validity, and construct validity were investigated among 761 female undergraduates. Criterion validity was also investigated with respect to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Results: The BICI appears internally consistent and displayed predictable relationships to depression, anxiety, self-esteem, functional impairment, and body image disturbance. Three factors appeared to underlie the BICI (i.e. appearance preoccupation, appearance concern, coping behaviour), accounting for 52.13%, 7.77%, and 5.80% of the observed variance. Further analysis revealed that nine items could be removed from the BICI without notable change to its validity or reliability. This resulted in a shorter version of the BICI that demonstrated improved factor structure and internal consistency, with equivalent degrees of concurrent and criterion validity. Neither measure operated effectively as a diagnostic screen for BDD, reflected by low sensitivity and specificity values. Conclusions: Both appear to be reliable and valid measures that should predominantly be employed as continuous measures of body image preoccupation.