Angela Nogueira Neves

Validity of body image scales for Brazilian older adults

The aim of this study was to translate the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ) for older adults into Brazilian Portuguese, and evaluate the psychometric properties of these instruments. A sample of 606 participants aged 60 to 98 years were recruited from hospitals, rest homes, physical activity centers, leisure centers, churches/religious institutions and from the general community. All participants were personally invited and voluntarily accepted to participate in the research. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the original APQ model and to a new bidimensional model for BAS after excluding some items. We also observed satisfactory evidence of internal consistency, convergent, discriminant, concurrent and divergent validity. Regarding validity, significant variation of scores from the two scales in both, physically active and sedentary participants was herein highlighted. In conclusion, the BAS and APQ appear to be valid and reliable scales for Brazilian researchers to study older adults.

Avaliação da Imagem Corporal: Notas Essenciais para uma Boa Prática de Pesquisa

Body image research had a significant growth in Brazil, markedly in the last decade. Despite the undeniable maturity that the recent production is showing, some methodological inconsistencies can still been identified in body image research in Brazil, similar to what happened outside Brazil in the decade of the 1990s. This methodological article is focused on important methodological points that require attention in the phase of research planning. The information systematized here was collected from books and scientific articles, as well from courses for reviewers of journals specialized in this area. Four topics were chosen to be discussed here and each of them will bring relevant notes for elaboration, execution and data analyzes in body image research.

Factor structure, validity, and internal consistency of the Body Appreciation Scale for physically active Brazilian men with spinal cord injuries

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the Body Appreciation Scale and its psychometric properties: specifically, the validity of its construct and its internal consistency, for persons with spinal cord injuries in Brazil. Method: A non-probabilistic sample of 70 adult men between 18 and 59 years of age who participated in this study. Partial least squares with path modeling, average variance extracted, squared correlation of the factors, bivariate correlation, variance analysis, Cronbach’s alpha test, and a Composite reliability test were conducted to evaluate factor structure, convergent, discriminant, concurrent, and divergent validity and internal consistency, respectively. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 2-factor solution model, predicted by theory. Convergent and discriminant evidence of validity was provided. Internal consistency values were satisfactory. Weak evidence of concurrent and divergent validity were generated. Conclusion: The Body Appreciation Scale appears to be a valid and reliable scale for researchers, especially in samples of physically active men with spinal cord injury. This new scale could be used to evaluate the impact of physical therapy on body image, as well the impact of sports practice. In this way, it could provide relevant information with which physicians, physical therapists, and physical educators can guide their interventions

Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Amputee Body Image Scale: Cultural Adaptation and a Psychometric Analysis

Body image adjustments after a limb loss are essential to rehabilitation. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS). We analyzed data from a nonprobability sample of 100 participants (71% men, mean age 48.26 ± 18.35 years) by using a confirmatory factor analysis with partial least square path modeling. We evaluated the structural model by using Pearson’s coefficient of determination, path coefficients, indicator of Stone-Geisser, and Cohen’s indicator. We evaluated item factor loadings and average variance extracted for model measurement. We tested the internal consistency with Cronbach’s α test and composite reliability and evaluated the discriminant validity by adopting Fornell and Larcker (1981) criteria. We tested the original and a new three-factor model and performed correlational and variance analyses as additional tests. The new three-factor theoretical model had stronger structural support and better discriminant and convergent validities than the original three-factor model. The ABIS total score was inversely correlated with body appreciation. There were significant body image score differences between the groups of sedentary and physically active amputees and among those with differences in years since amputation, but there were no differences between those with different causes of amputation nor for those with different amputated limbs.

Body image, trauma and resilience: a reflection on the role of the physical education teacher

The main aim of this essay is to stimulate the reflection on the promotion of resilience in school mediated by the intervention of the physical educator in school. We base our arguments on previous scientific evidences as well as on our own observations derived from our teaching experience. Initially we presented the psychosomatic perspective for body identity development. This is necessary preliminary information for further argumentation. We conceptualize trauma and resilience and argue that physical activities and experiences are sources for longitudinal compensation for gaps on body identity. Our argumentation ends with the differentiation between trauma perpetuation and body identity development. We suggest that physical education teachers are resilience tutor par excellence.

Imagen corporal, trauma y resiliencia: reflexiones sobre el papel del profesor de Educación Física

The main aim of this essay is to stimulate the reflection on the promotion of resilience in school mediated by the intervention of the physical educator in school. We base our arguments on previous scientific evidences as well as on our own observations derived from our teaching experience. Initially we presented the psychosomatic perspective for body identity development. This is necessary preliminary information for further argumentation. We conceptualize trauma and resilience and argue that physical activities and experiences are sources for longitudinal compensation for gaps on body identity. Our argumentation ends with the differentiation between trauma perpetuation and body identity development. We suggest that physical education teachers are resilience tutor par excellence.

Imagem corporal, trauma e resiliência: reflexões sobre o papel do professor de Educação Física

The main aim of this essay is to stimulate the reflection on the promotion of resilience in school mediated by the intervention of the physical educator in school. We base our arguments on previous scientific evidences as well as on our own observations derived from our teaching experience. Initially we presented the psychosomatic perspective for body identity development. This is necessary preliminary information for further argumentation. We conceptualize trauma and resilience and argue that physical activities and experiences are sources for longitudinal compensation for gaps on body identity. Our argumentation ends with the differentiation between trauma perpetuation and body identity development. We suggest that physical education teachers are resilience tutor par excellence.