Drive for Leanness Scale (DLS)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.068

Chapter 67 - Drive for Leanness Scale (DLS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Sarah K. Murnen and

Linda Smolak

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 6-item Drive for Leanness Scale (DLS; Smolak & Murnen, 2008) was designed to measure concerns about leanness than anyone, regardless of gender, might share. Thus, the drive for leanness construct was derived to be distinct from concerns for thinness more common among women, and concerns about muscularity more common among men. The DLS can be administered online or in-person and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the DLS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the DLS has a unidimensional factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity support the use of the DLS with women and men. Gender differences are minimal. Next, this chapter provides the DLS 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

Drive for Leanness Scale drive for leanness body fat concerns thinness concerns muscularity concerns gender invariance 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. 208 - 209

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.068 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

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Smolak, L., & Murnen, S. K. (2008). Drive for leanness: Assessment and relationship to gender, gender role and objectification. Body Image, 5, 251–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.03.004.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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Wilhelm, L., Hartmann, A. S., Becker, J. C., Waldorf, M., & Vocks, S. (2020). Are there associations between religious affiliation and drive for muscularity? A cross-sectional survey of young Muslim women, Christian women and atheist women from Germany. BMC Women’s Health, 20, 271. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-01138-8.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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