Fit Ideal Internalization Test (FIIT)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.082

Chapter 81 - Fit Ideal Internalization Test (FIIT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Laura R. Uhlmann ,

Caroline L. Donovan and

Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

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Virginia Ramseyer Winter: Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Tracy L. Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Antoinette M. Landor: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

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Summary

The 20-item Fit Ideal Internalization Test (FIIT; Uhlmann et al., 2020) assesses girls’ and women’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that represent manifestations of three interrelated fit ideal internalization domains: personal idealization of the fit ideal, overvaluing of the fit ideal, and striving for a lean and toned female body shape. The FIIT operationalizes the fit ideal as a distinct set of ideals, values, and desires that differ from those associated with either the thin body ideal or the muscular body ideal. The FIIT can be administered online or in-person to female-identifying adolescent and adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the FIIT and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the FIIT has a 3-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses: Fit Idealization (8 items), Fit Overvaluation (8 items), and Fit Behavioral Drive (4 items). Evidence has been found for a higher-order factor. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the FIIT. Next, this chapter provides the FIIT items in their entirety, instructions for administration and scoring, and the item response scale. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are available for readers.

Keywords

Fit Ideal Internalization Test FIIT internalization fit ideal girls/women drive for leanness idealization of leanness overvaluing leanness striving for leanness items scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring

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Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 244 - 246

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.082 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Bell, H. S., Donovan, C. L., & Ramme, R. (2016). Is athletic really ideal? An examination of the mediating role of body dissatisfaction in predicting disordered eating and compulsive exercise. Eating Behaviors, 21, 24–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.12.012.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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Thompson, J. K., & Stice, E. (2001). Thin-ideal internalization: Mounting evidence for a new risk factor for body-image disturbance and eating pathology. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10(5), 181–183. https://doi.org/info:doi/10.1111/1467-8721.00144.CrossRef Google Scholar

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Uhlmann, L. R., Donovan, C. L., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. (2020). Beyond the thin ideal: Development and validation of the Fit Ideal Internalization Test (FIIT) for women. Psychological Assessment, 32, 140–153. https://doi.org/doi/10.1037/pas0000773.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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