Lucilene Ferreira

The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale: initial examination of its factor structure and correlates among Brazilian adults.

The present study conducted a preliminary examination of the psychometric properties of a recently developed Portuguese translation of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS; Henderson-King & Henderson-King, 2005). A total of 311 Brazilian adults completed the ACSS along with Portuguese translations of measures of actual-ideal body weight discrepancy, body appreciation, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and demographics. Results showed that the Portuguese ACSS reduced to a three-factor solution consisting of the Intrapersonal, Social, and Consider factors uncovered in the original work using the ACSS. Moreover, there were only small sex differences on these subscales. In addition, the Portuguese ACSS showed a good pattern of convergent validity. The availability of the Portuguese ACSS is expected to stimulate more in-depth, quantitative research on attitudes toward cosmetic surgery within the Brazilian context.

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.

Associações e diferenças entre homens e mulheres na aceitação de cirurgia plástica estética no Brasil

BACKGROUND: Brazil ranks third among all countries in the number of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed per year. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between acceptance of plastic surgery and bodily satisfaction, internalization of media messages, and other psychosocial variables in a convenience sample of male and female Brazilian adults. METHODS: Non-probabilistic sampling was used to select a sample (n = 198) of an equal number of men and women for voluntary participation. All participants completed 5 study instruments that collected data used to perform correlation and variance analyses at a 95% level of significance. RESULTS: A significant association between acceptance of cosmetic plastic surgery and the variables of internalization of media messages and bodily appreciation was found in both sexes. A significant association between acceptance of cosmetic plastic surgery and life satisfaction was found only in women. Except for differences regarding the decision to undergo surgery after having considered the risks, no other differences regarding the acceptance of cosmetic plastic surgery in general were found between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small sample examined in this study, the findings largely accord with international observations and are expected to contribute to further understanding of the demand for cosmetic plastic surgery in Brazil.

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

Exercício físico na osteogênese imperfeita

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue, characterized by bone fragility and low bone density, with a broad spectrum of clinical expression. Oriented physical exercise is recognized as a relevant conservative treatment option. Objective: To gather and systematize knowledge related to physical fitness testing, choosing exercises, load progression, and training systematization for persons with OI. Method: Databases from SciELO, LILACS, MedLine, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro and the Cochrane BVS were searched. Two independent reviewers selected the eligible studies. All randomized controlled clinical trials, transversal exploratory studies, case reports, and experience reports that described physical exercise intervention and physical fitness testing; general rules for physical activity and reported physical activity effects were included. Results: The electronic search yielded a total of 961 references published in English, Portuguese, French, and German. After analyzing previously established inclusion criteria, 9 studies were included, only two of which were controlled clinical trials. All the recommendations and conclusions found were oriented toward children, since all the studies had this population as a target. Only two studies included samples of adolescents up to the age of 12 years. OI types I and IV were investigated and some of the recommendations were extended to the other types of OI. Swimming is the exercise recommended most often. Strengthening exercises, with a slow addition of weight were also recommended, as well as aerobic exercises on bicycles, stationary or not. There are some special considerations in handling and treatment for this public that should be taken to avoid trauma. Conclusion: It was possible to obtain some systematization and orientation to conduct conservative treatment interventions with a physical exercise program; however, evidence to support any prescribed exercise and training development for persons with OI is still scarce.

Drive for Muscularity: Um Estudo Exploratório no Exército Brasileiro

Drive for muscularity refers to the desire to achieve an ideal muscular body, as well the degree of concern about increasing muscle mass. The aim of this research was to investigate drive for muscularity traits in men from the Brazilian army. Data from a non-probabilistic sample of 652 men were analyzed. Results showed associations among drive for muscularity variables and habits of physical exercise practice, life and body satisfaction, and social physique anxiety. Differences in drive for muscularity traits were also found accordingly with the romantic status, financial security and time career in the army. It was concluded that monitoring the drive for muscularity during military education should be part of the psychosocial care routines.

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.