Anti-Fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire (AFMEQ)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.003

Chapter 2 - Anti-Fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire (AFMEQ)

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Jennifer B. Webb ,

Charlie L. Reeve ,

Lena Etzel and

Abigail S. Hardin

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 32-item Anti-Fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire (AFMEQ; Webb et al., 2019) assesses contemporary forms of weight bias that individuals living in larger bodies routinely confront. The AFMEQ can be administered online or in person to older adolescents and adults and has not been validated for use in younger populations. It is free to use in research settings. This chapter first discusses the development of the AFMEQ and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the AFMEQ has been found to have a four-factor structure within exploratory factor analyses (Micro-Assault, Micro-Insult, Micro-Invalidation, and Media-Influenced Microaggression), aligning with the original microaggression framework but adding a novel recognition of the influence of media in promulgating oppressive stereotypes denigrating higher-weight individuals. Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the AFMEQ. Next, this chapter provides the AFMEQ items in their entirety, instructions for administering the AFMEQ to participants, the item response scale, and the scoring procedure. Abbreviated forms are not offered, and no known translations are currently available. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

Keywords

Anti-Fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire AFMEQ items contemporary weight bias micro-assaults micro-insults micro-invalidations media-influenced microaggressions scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 4 - 6

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

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Webb, J. B., Reeve, C., Etzel, L., Papay, K., Hardin, A., & Taylor, J. (2019). The Weight-related Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire (WRMEQ): Item development and initial evaluation. Poster presented at the American Psychosomatic Society’s 77th Annual Scientific Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Google Scholar

Webb, J. B., Etzel, L., Reeve, C., & Hardin, A. (2023). Psychometric Refinement of the Anti-fat Microaggression Experiences Questionnaire. Unpublished data.Google Scholar

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