The 29-item Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory (BICSI; Cash et al., 2005) assesses three distinct styles respondents use to cope with situational threats to their body image, which are appearance fixing, avoidance, and positive rational acceptance. The BICSI can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults; it is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BICSI and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the BICSI has been found to have a 3-factor structure within exploratory and/or confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity support the use of the BICSI. Next, this chapter provides all BICSI items, instructions for administering the BICSI to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Links to known translations are provided. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain the scale, permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 21-item Body Checking Cognitions Scale (BCCS) assesses the beliefs that maintain the individual’s use of unhealthy levels of body checking. The BCCS can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults (with or without an eating disorder), and is free to use in research and clinical settings. This chapter first discusses the importance of body checking and the cognitions that maintain it. It then describes the development of the BCCS, scoring of the measure and its subscales, and how it can be administered. The chapter then details the validity, reliability, factor structure and internal consistency of the measure, all of which support the use of a 19-item version of the measure. The BCCS has been shown to have four factors in most studies (using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), though there have also been suggestions that two factors might be a viable model. Translations into a number of languages have been conducted. The full BCCS is presented, along with the scoring key and instructions for administration.

The 27-item Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-3 (PACS-3; Schaefer & Thompson, 2018) is a comprehensive measure of appearance comparison behaviors, assessing the frequency, direction, and emotional impact of weight, shape, general appearance, and muscularity comparisons. The PACS-3 can be administered online or in-person to young adults and adolescents and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the original PACS, PACS-R, and the PACS-3 within the appearance comparison literature and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the frequency items from the PACS-3 have been found to have a three-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory analyses across both American and Spanish samples. Items assessing comparison direction and emotional impact require further psychometric evaluation. Scores on the PACS-3 demonstrate adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability and preliminary evidence of convergent and incremental validity. Next, this chapter provides the PACS-3 items in their entirety, instructions for administering the PACS-3 to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Known translations are provided. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 24-item Body Image Flexibility and Inflexibility Scale (BIFIS; Brichacek et al., 2023) measures body image flexibility (i.e., openly experiencing negative body image thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations as they arise while connecting with a broader sense of self and personal values) and body image inflexibility (i.e., resisting, or getting stuck in, negative body-related experiences and disconnecting from important areas of life) as two distinct ways of responding to body image threats. The BIFIS was developed for adolescents and emerging adults (aged 11 to 30 years), is free to use, and can be administered online or in-person. This chapter describes the adaptation and development of the BIFIS and provides evidence of its psychometrics. The BIFIS has a hierarchical factor structure (two higher-order body image flexibility and inflexibility factors, each comprising four subfactors) and demonstrates measurement invariance across binary genders and age cohorts, and over time. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the BIFIS with young people. This chapter includes the BIFIS items, response scale, and instructions for administration and scoring. Logistics of use, including permissions, copyright, and contact information, are also provided.

The 3-item State Appearance Comparison Scale (Tiggemann & McGill, 2004) is a widely used measure of the amount of appearance comparison participants engage in within a specific situation. The State Appearance Comparison Scale can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free for use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the State Appearance Comparison Scale within the media effects literature and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. Importantly, the State Appearance Comparison Scale has been found to be reactive to experimental manipulation. Internal consistency reliability and convergent validity support its use. Next, this chapter provides the State Appearance Comparison Scale items, instructions for administration, the item response scale, the scoring procedure, and known translations. Logistics of use, such as permissions and copyright, are provided for readers.

The 49-item Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit (FAAT; Cain et al., 2022) is a multidimensional, non-stigmatizing measure of contemporary attitudes towards fatness and fat people, some of which are targeted in stigma reduction research. The FAAT can be administered online or in-person to adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the FAAT and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the FAAT has a 9-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses: Empathy (7 items), Activism Orientation (7 items), Size Acceptance (6 items), Attractiveness (5 items), Critical Health (5 items), General Complexity (6 items), Socioeconomic Complexity (3 items), Responsibility (6 items), and Body Acceptance (4 items). Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support the use of the FAAT. Next, this chapter provides the FAAT 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.

In this chapter we provide an introduction to research in a very crucial time for women’s mental health, the perinatal period, beginning with an overview of perinatal psychiatry and the importance of conducting research in this field. We discuss some of the key considerations in determining the quality of information in published studies, with a focus on factors that may affect perinatal psychiatric research, and present examples of published research demonstrating these key considerations. We then give an overview of the challenges and opportunities for perinatal psychiatric research. Finally, we present some of the emerging topics in this field and provide the reader with online resources where they can find out more about perinatal psychiatric research.

The 10-item Cosmetic Procedure Screening Scale (COPS; Veale et al., 2012) is used to screen for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) within cosmetic settings and is often used as an outcome measure in the treatment of BDD. It can be used to predict dissatisfaction with a cosmetic procedure. The 9-item Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ-9) omits the first COPS item and is considered a weekly version of the COPS. A labia specific version, the COPS-L and a penis specific version, the COPS-P are also available. This chapter first discusses the development of the COPS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the COPS is unidimensional, although the BIQ-9 has been found to contain two factors (interference/avoidance, other BDD symptoms) among adolescents. Internal consistency reliability, sensitivity to change, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity support the use of the COPS and BIQ-9. Next, this chapter provides the COPS items in their entirety, instructions for administration and scoring, and the item response scale. Links to known translations are included. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are available for readers.

The 16-item Everyday Colourism Scale (ECS; Craddock et al. 2023) assesses perceived experiences of subtle and more overt mistreatment and prejudice based on an individual’s skin shade. The ECS can be administered online and/or in-person to adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the ECS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the Everyday Colourism Scale has been found to have a 2-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and incremental validity support the use of the ECS. This chapter also provides the ECS items in their entirety, instructions for administering the ECS to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 44- item Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) generates a profile of women’s body related attitudes as found in the population at large. The BAQ can be administered in person, by mail, or on-line, and there are no restrictions on its use. The 44 questions are grouped into 6 sub-scales (Feeling Fat, Disparagement, Strength and Fitness, Salience of Weight and Shape, Attractiveness, Lower Body Fatness). The BAQ can be used in full, or in a variety of abbreviated forms. The BAQ and its subscales have well-developed psychometric properties, as described in the chapter. The BAQ has been translated into a number of languages. Unusually for Body Image measures, genetic as well as social determinants related to measured Body Image have been studied with the BAQ, and are referenced in the chapter. The BAQ is provided in its entirety, as is the scoring key and instructions for use. The BAQ has proved to be suitable for assessing body-related attitudes in general and specific population groups, and its internal structure has been validated in many different groups of women.

The 10- or 11-item Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M; Pearl & Puhl, 2014) assesses weight bias internalization (i.e., internalized weight stigma or weight self-stigma). The WBIS-M can be administered on paper, online, or by interview to adolescents or adults (with adapted versions for children) and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the WBIS-M and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the WBIS-M has been found to have a unidimensional factor structure within most exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support the use of the WBIS-M. Next, this chapter provides the WBIS-M items in their entirety, instructions for administering the WBIS-M to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Abbreviated forms and known translations are described. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 10-item Attunement with Exercise Scale (AwE; Calogero et al., 2024) assesses the extent to which a person’s physical activity experiences reflect joy and connection with their body and safety during exercise. The AwE can be administered online and/or in-person to adolescents and/or adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the AwE and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the AwE has been found to have a 3-factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and has demonstrated invariance between women and men. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the AwE. Next, this chapter provides the AwE items in their entirety, instructions for administering the AwE to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

The 28-item Body Esteem Scale-Revised (BES-R; Frost et al., 2018) is an updated version of the Body Esteem Scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984) that assesses satisfaction with the appearance and functionality of 28 specific body areas and aspects of body functionality. Like the original scale, the BES-R conceptualizes body esteem as both gender-specific and multidimensional, with three distinct dimensions for women (i.e., sexual attractiveness, weight concern, physical condition) and three distinct dimensions for men (i.e., sexual attractiveness, upper body strength, physical condition). The BES-R can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use. Women and men complete the same 28 items. This chapter first discusses the development of the BES-R and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. Principal components analyses upheld the three dimensions of body esteem for men and the three dimensions of body esteem for women. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support the use of the BES-R. This chapter provides the BES-R scale items, instructions for administering the measure to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and citation information, are also provided for readers.

The 9-item Broad Conceptualization of Beauty Scale (Tylka & Iannantuono, 2016) assesses the extent to which individuals are able to perceive a wide range of physical appearances as beautiful, whether these appearances are largely unchangeable (e.g., body shape) or more easily modifiable (e.g., personal style, dress), and draw from inner characteristics (e.g., confidence, self-acceptance) when defining beauty. While originally designed for female respondents, the BCBS was modified to be gender neutral. The BCBS can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BCBS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the BCBS has been found to have a unidimensional factor structure within exploratory and/or confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the BCBS. Next, this chapter provides the BCBS items in their entirety, instructions for administering the BCBS to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Links to known translations are included. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are available for readers.

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The 13-item Appearance-Related Social Media Consciousness Scale (ASMC Scale; Choukas-Bradley et al., 2020) assesses appearance-related social media consciousness (ASMC) – i.e., ongoing awareness of one’s physical attractiveness to an online audience. The ASMC Scale can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use in any setting. In this chapter, we discuss the development of the scale and provide evidence of its psychometric properties. The ASMC Scale is unidimensional, with evidence of partial measurement invariance across gender (comparing girls/women and boys/men). Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the scale with adolescents and adults. Next, we provide the ASMC Scale items in their entirety, instructions for administering the scale to participants, the response scale, the scoring procedure, and information about known translations (Chinese/Mandarin, Spanish, Turkish). Additionally, we provide logistical information, such as permissions, copyright, contact information, and considerations for alterations (e.g., related to short-term video-based social media). We also discuss initial findings related to ASMC, including gender differences in mean levels (with girls/women reporting higher levels of ASMC than boys/men), and evidence of associations between ASMC and offline body image and mental health constructs.

The 45-item Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI; Forbush et al., 2013) is a self-report, multidimensional measure of cognitions/behaviors associated with eating disorder diagnoses. The EPSI includes body image-related constructs such as body dissatisfaction and muscle building, in addition to six other scales. The EPSI can be administered on paper for free and without formal permissions to adults and adolescents. Administering the EPSI online requires written permission from the copyright holder; see the chapter for additional permissions, copyright, and contact information. This chapter briefly details the development of the EPSI and evidence for its psychometric properties. The EPSI has an eight-factor structure based on confirmatory factor analyses, and has demonstrated favorable structural similarity (e.g., different types of invariance) across men and women, different weight statuses, and adolescents and adults. The EPSI has also demonstrated favorable internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity with related measures, discriminant validity from measures of negative affect and internalizing symptoms, and criterion-related validity by discriminating between different eating disorders. A description of instructions and scale/scoring, more specific information about the body dissatisfaction and muscle building scales, and a link to the full EPSI are provided. Information about an abbreviated version and translations is also included.