Body Image States Scale (BISS)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.046

Chapter 45 - Body Image States Scale (BISS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 November 2025

Thomas F. Cash and

Tracy L. Tylka

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 Body Image States Scale (BISS; Cash et al., 2002) assesses how respondents feel about their body and physical appearance “right now” as opposed to trait body image measures that assess how they feel about their body in general. The BISS uses a 9-point response scale to detect subtle variations in respondents’ evaluative and affective body image experiences in the moment and in response to specific contexts or experimental manipulations. The BISS can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults; it is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BISS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the BISS has a unidimensional factor structure, and its internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity are supported. Next, this chapter provides all items and their individualized response scales, instructions for administering the BISS to participants, and scoring procedures. Links to known translations are included. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain the BISS, permissions, copyright, and contact information are available for readers.

Keywords

Body Image States Scale BISS state body image body evaluation appearance evaluation body attitudes experimental manipulation situational contexts scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring translations

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 142 - 144

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.046 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Cash, T. F. (2001). The Body Image States Scale. Available through Tracy Tylka at tylka.2@osu.edu.Google Scholar

Cash, T. F., Fleming, E. C., Alindogan, J., Steadman, L., & Whitehead, A. (2002). Beyond body image as a trait: The development and validation of the Body Image States Scale. Eating Disorders, 10, 103–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640260290081678.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2019). Body image states in everyday life: Evidence from ecological momentary assessment methodology. Body Image, 31, 245–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.02.010.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Homan, K. J. (2016). Factor structure and psychometric properties of a state version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2. Body Image, 19, 204–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.10.004.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Melnyk, S. E., Cash, T. F., & Janda, L. H. (2004). Body image ups and downs: Prediction of intra-individual level and variability of women’s daily body image experiences. Body Image, 1(3), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.03.003.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Rudiger, J. A., Cash, T. F., Roehrig, M., & Thompson, J. K. (2007). Day-to-day body-image states: Prospective predictors of intra-individual level and variability. Body Image, 4(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.11.004.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Swami, V., & Barron, D. (2019). Translation and validation of body image instruments: Challenges, good practice guidelines, and reporting recommendations for test adaptation. Body Image, 31, 204–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.08.014.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Swami, V., Todd, J., & Barron, D. (2021). Translation and validation of body image instruments: An addendum to Swami and Barron (2019) in the form of frequently asked questions. Body Image, 37, 214–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.03.002.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

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