Psychometric properties of the contextual body image questionnaire for athletes: a replication and extension study in female collegiate athletes

Abstract

Plain English summary Female athletes evaluate their bodies in two separate contexts, based on their identities in their sport and daily life: this is called contextual body image (CBI). The Contextual Body Image Questionnaire for Athletes (CBIQA) measures four specific elements of CBI among athletes. This study found that the CBIQA measures its intended four elements of CBI, and that it measures an aspect of body image that is different from traditional thin-ideal internalization. Except for evaluation of Muscularity, the elements of CBI were also related to eating disorder measures. Lastly, taking into account earlier scores on the two outcomes (eating disorder behaviors and negative mood), appearance concerns in both daily life and sport predicted eating disorder symptoms 6 months later. Only perceived evaluation of being fat in sport predicted negative mood 6 months later. Our findings suggest that the CBIQA is measuring body image elements that are unique from other types of body image measures, but are still related to eating disorder symptoms, among female competitive athletes. More research is needed to better understand how athletes are affected by body image concerns in both contexts of their identity.

Keywords

• Body image
• Athletes
• Sports
• Eating disorders
• Depression