Body checking, body avoidance and social behavior: The factorial structure of the Dutch translation of the Body Checking and Avoiding Questionnaire in a healthy female college sample

Abstract

Body checking and body avoidance are the two main components of the behavioral aspect of body image disturbances (BID), which is a core feature of multiple eating disorders (ED). The behavioral component of BID has not gotten as much attention as other components, partly because the assessment has been lacking in quality. This study looked at the internal structure of a new measure which aspires to measure the behavioral aspect of BID, the Body Checking and Avoidance Questionnaire (BCAQ). An online survey with N=69 healthy female students showed that the BCAQ consists of a three-factorial structure, is internally reliable and the factors correlate with each other. This study is the beginning of the validation of the Dutch version of the BCAQ. Further research into this measure should confirm the factorial structure and look extensively into the external validity as well as the internal validity within an ED sample. Further research should focus on a clinical sample, different measures and stability over time.