The 25-item Body Parts Satisfaction Scale for Men (BPSS-M; McFarland & Petrie, 2012) is a commonly used measure of male body satisfaction, which focuses on the degree a male-identified adolescent or adult is satisfied with their appearance, particularly with respect to leanness (or low body fat) and muscularity. The BPSS measures male body satisfaction across three factors: upper body, legs, and face. The BPSS-M can be administered online or in-person to male identifying adolescents and adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BPSS-M and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the BPSS-M’s 3-factor structure is upheld within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, concurrent validity, and incremental validity support the use of the BPSS-M. Next, this chapter provides the BPSS-M 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.

Developing countries (a term often used interchangeably with low- and middle-income countries) account for the overwhelming majority of the world’s population. There is a huge burden of mental illness coupled with deficits in mental healthcare resources and infrastructure that perpetuates a high treatment gap in most developing countries. Good quality scientific research can help in understanding the challenges and evaluating solutions to improve mental healthcare delivery. However, there is a substantial scarcity of research from developing countries. This chapter discusses the unique nature of strengths and challenges with respect to mental health and provides examples of successful scientific mental health research with public health implications from developing countries. The feasible solutions to improve mental healthcare research across individual, organisational, and national level in developing countries given the unique strengths and deficits are discussed in detail.

The 20-item Female Sexual Subjectivity Inventory (FSSI) and the 20-item Male Sexual Subjectivity Inventory (MSSI) have five subscales (elements) and can produce a total score for sexual subjectivity. The five measured elements (4 items each) assessed with each inventory are sexual body-esteem, entitlement to self-pleasure, entitlement to pleasure from a partner, self-efficacy in achieving desire and pleasure, and sexual self-reflection. The measure can be referred to as a measure of sexual subjectivity, psychological sexual health, or sexual self-perceptions. In total it assesses perceptions of the self as a sexual being with choice, desire, and deserving of pleasure. The FSSI and MSSI can be administered online or in-person and it has been included in research with adolescents and adults. The FSSI and MSSI are free to use. This chapter begins with a discussion of the development of the MSSI and FSSI from item generation to psychometric analyses. This is followed with psychometric information, including the factor structure and invariance, and evidence of reliability and validity. Additional sections cover administration, scoring, and information about abbreviated versions. Finally, the response scale, the items in their entirety, instructions for administration and scoring, and permissions, copyright and contact information are provided.

The two 18-item parallel forms of the Assessment of Body-Image Cognitive Distortions (ABCD; Cash et al., 2004) tap into distorted thinking related to how people process information about their physical appearance. It is based on the theory that people who are disproportionately invested in their appearance process attend to, encode, retrieve, recall, and interpret information in accordance with their appearance-related concerns (e.g., if no one comments favorably on their outfit, they may conclude that it is not flattering). ABCD items are phrased as hypothetical situations and respondents indicate the extent to which each situation is consistent with the mental conversations that they have about their own appearance. The ABCD can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults, and it is free to use. This chapter discusses the development of the ABCD and provides evidence of its psychometrics. There is evidence for its unidimensionality. Its internal consistency reliability as well as convergent, concurrent, incremental, and predictive validity. This chapter provides all items, the response scale, and instructions for administering and scoring the ABCD. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain and purchase the ABCD, permissions, copyright, and contact information are available for readers.

The 32-item Anti-Fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire (AFMEQ; Webb et al., 2019) assesses contemporary forms of weight bias that individuals living in larger bodies routinely confront. The AFMEQ can be administered online or in person to older adolescents and adults and has not been validated for use in younger populations. It is free to use in research settings. This chapter first discusses the development of the AFMEQ and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the AFMEQ has been found to have a four-factor structure within exploratory factor analyses (Micro-Assault, Micro-Insult, Micro-Invalidation, and Media-Influenced Microaggression), aligning with the original microaggression framework but adding a novel recognition of the influence of media in promulgating oppressive stereotypes denigrating higher-weight individuals. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the AFMEQ. Next, this chapter provides the AFMEQ items in their entirety, instructions for administering the AFMEQ to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Abbreviated forms are not offered, and no known translations are currently available. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

This chapter provides an overview of quantitative approaches to psychological assessment, focusing on measurement instruments used in mental health research. It traces the origins of psychological measurement, outlines its limitations, and explains essential psychometric properties—reliability, validity, and standardisation—needed for selecting high-quality tools. The discussion includes advances in psychometric theory, such as measurement invariance, and their implications for fair and responsible assessment. Practical considerations for test selection, interpretation, and application are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive and scientifically robust methods. The chapter concludes with reflections on the future of psychological assessment in research and practice.

The 59-item Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS59; Moss, 2005) assesses appearance-related distress across various dimensions, including social anxiety, self-consciousness, and negative self-concept. The DAS can be administered both online and in-person to adolescents and adults and is available for £0.50 per use. This chapter first discusses the development of the DAS, which was created to address gaps in existing body image measures by capturing the broader psychological impact of visible differences. The DAS has a multidimensional factor structure, with five distinct factors identified through factor analysis, and strong psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: .85 to .95) and test-retest reliability. This chapter also outlines the scale’s administration process, scoring procedures, and item response format. A shorter version, the DAS-24, is available for quicker assessments. The DAS has been validated across diverse demographic groups, ensuring its applicability in both clinical and research settings. Permissions and guidelines for use, including translations and modifications, are provided to ensure consistent and accurate application of the scale.

The 12-item Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS; Phillips et al., 1997) is a widely used, semi-structured, clinician or rater-administered measure of a person’s current severity of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). To emphasize, the BDD-YBOCS is a severity measure and not a screening or diagnostic measure of BDD, and it should be used only in individuals who have already been diagnosed with BDD. The BDD-YBOCS has been the primary outcome measure in most treatment studies of BDD and is also used in clinical settings. It can be administered online or in-person to children, adolescents, and adults and is free to use, although a fee may be charged for more than a certain number of free uses. This chapter first discusses the development of the BDD-YBOCS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. It has three factors: a core symptoms factor (BDD diagnostic criteria), a resistance-control factor (for thoughts/preoccupation), and a repetitive behaviors factor. Internal consistency, interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support the use of the BDD-YBOCS. It is sensitive to change as a result of clinical intervention. This chapter directs readers for how to obtain the full list of items. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The Curvy Ideals Internalization Scale (CII; Walker et al., 2022) is an 11-item self-report measure developed to assess internalization of a thick or curvy body type. The CII can be administered online or in-person and is free to use for research purposes, and has been validated among White, Black, and Black/White Biracial women. The chapter first discusses the development of the CII and then provides evidence of its psychometric properties. More specifically, the CII has been identified to have a three-factor structure, with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support the CII’s use. The chapter provides the CII items in their entirety, instructions for administering and scoring the measure, and the item response scale. Logistics of use (e.g., copyright, permissions, and contact information) are provided for readers.

The Body Mass Index-Based Figure Rating Scale for Chinese Adolescents (C-BMI-FRS; Yu et al., 2022) provides a brief way to assess the body dissatisfaction of Chinese adolescents via calculating the discrepancy between their chosen actual and ideal body silhouettes. Height, weight, sex, and age data was calculated from a large sample of Chinese adolescents and a professional artist drew four equal height silhouettes for each sex (girls, boys) based on these data. The four silhouettes, which represented BMI values at the 20th, 40th, 60th, and 80th percentiles, were placed above a horizontal bar with 25 grids. Respondents choose the number (1-25) that represents the figure that they actually have and the figure they ideally would like to have. Their chosen ideal figure is then subtracted from their chosen actual figure. The figures and logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

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.

The human brain follows a clear and reliable timeline of development. Various stages of development are key to specific functions. Decision-making, due to its complexity, cannot be pinpointed to one age in development or a critical period, it undergoes several key stages through the lifespan. In the prenatal stage, myelination is important for cognitively demanding tasks like decision-making. In the newborn stage, the baby is constantly forming new synapses, increasing connectivity. During childhood most children develop the ability to use logic in decisions. Adolescence is a critical period for synaptic pruning, improving efficiency. The prefrontal cortex is considered fully mature in adulthood, around the age of 25.

The Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BIAAQ; Sandoz et al., 2013) is a 12-item measure of body image flexibility. Body image flexibility involves full awareness and openness to the experience of embodiment (e.g., body image thoughts, feelings, perceptions, sensations, etc.) in any one moment in such a way as to allow for engagement in valued action. The BIAAQ can be administered to adults or adolescents in person or online. This chapter discusses the development of the BIAAQ and provides evidence for its reliability and validity. More specifically, the majority of studies evaluating the psychometric properties of the BIAAQ have found the instrument to be composed of a single-factor. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, split-half reliability, convergent validity, and incremental validity support the use of the BIAAQ. This chapter provides the BIAAQ items in their entirety, instructions for administering the scale to participants and the scoring procedure. Abbreviated and translated versions are also summarized. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 15-item Muscularity-Oriented Eating Test (MOET; Murray et al., 2019) assesses attitudes and behaviors associated with the pursuit of muscularity, such as the rigid monitoring of dietary intake, rigid adherence to dietary rules, regulation of protein intake, propensity for eating more or less to influence muscularity, and the overevaluation of muscularity-oriented eating. The MOET can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the MOET and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. Findings from exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis consistently suggest that the MOET is a unidimensional measure in a broad array of demographic and cultural settings. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the MOET. Next, this chapter provides the MOET items in their entirety, instructions for administering the MOET to participants, item response scale, and scoring procedure. Links to known translations are provided. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 37-item Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2; Mehling et al., 2018) assesses body awareness; that is, the ability to notice sensory signals originating from inside the body that provide information about its physiological states, processes, and actions. The MAIA-2 can be administered online or in-person to adults, including to clinical populations such as people with chronic pain, eating disorders, and depression (the 32-item MAIA-Youth should be used for children and adolescents). The MAIA-2 is free to use, and no written permission is required to use it for scholarly and non-commercial purposes. This chapter first describes the development of the MAIA-2, and then provides evidence of its psychometric properties. More specifically, the MAIA-2 was initially purported to have an 8-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. However, fit indices for the 8-factor model have been less-than-ideal in numerous studies, and more recently authors have found acceptable model fits when examining bi-factor models and a higher-order models, suggesting that the MAIA-2 items and scales, respectively, also load onto a general factor, with the exception of the Not-Distracting and Not-Worrying items, which may correlate with this factor. MAIA-2 scores are scalar invariant across men and women, and composite reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity largely support the use of the MAIA-2. Next, this chapter provides directions to the MAIA-2 items and instructions for administration, and the item response scale and scoring procedure. An overview of available translations and abbreviations is provided. Finally, permissions, copyright, and contact information are provided for readers.

The 14-item Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale (MBIS; He et al., 2022) assesses muscularity bias internalization or internalized muscularity stigma, which refers to the extent to which an individual endorses muscularity-based stereotypes and makes negative self-evaluations due to muscularity. The MBIS can be administered online and in-person to adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the MBIS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the MBIS has been found to have a three-factor structure in Chinese men but a two-factor structure in Chinese women. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the MBIS. Next, this chapter provides the MBIS items, instructions for administering the MBIS to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.