Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.083

Chapter 82 - Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Jessica M. Alleva

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

Show author details

Virginia Ramseyer Winter: Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Tracy L. Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Antoinette M. Landor: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

Book contents

Get access

Summary

The 7-item Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS; Alleva, Tylka, & Kroon Van Diest, 2017) assesses functionality appreciation, defined as appreciating, respecting, and honoring the body for what it is capable of doing, extending beyond mere awareness of body functionality. The FAS can be administered online and/or in person to adolescents and adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the FAS and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the FAS has been found to have a one-dimensional factor structure within exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and has demonstrated gender invariance, invariance across sexual orientations, and invariance across countries (U.K. and Malaysia). Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity support the use of the FAS. To date, the FAS has been translated into 12 languages, with these strong psychometric properties upheld. Next, this chapter provides the FAS items in their entirety, instructions for administering the FAS to participants, the item response scale, the scoring procedure, and known translations. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and contact information, are provided for readers.

Keywords

Functionality Appreciation Scale FAS items functionality appreciation body functionality positive body image scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring translations available

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 247 - 249

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.083 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Alleva, J. M., Martijn, C., Jansen, A., & Nederkoorn, C. (2014). Body language: Affecting body satisfaction by describing the body in functionality terms. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 38(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684313507897.CrossRef Google Scholar

Alleva, J. M., Martijn, C., Van Breukelen, G. J. P., Jansen, A., & Karos, K. (2015). Expand Your Horizon: A program that improves body image and reduces self-objectification by training women to focus on body functionality. Body Image, 15, 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.07.001.CrossRef Google Scholar

Alleva, J. M., Tylka, T. L., & Kroon Van Diest, A. M. (2017). The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): Development and psychometric evaluation in U.S. community women and men. Body Image, 23, 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.07.008.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Frisén, A., & Holmqvist, K. (2010). What characterizes early adolescents with a positive body image? A qualitative investigation of Swedish girls and boys. Body Image, 7, 205–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.04.001.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Linardon, J., Messer, M., Lisboa, J., Newton, A., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2020). Examining the factor structure, sex invariance, and psychometric properties of the Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and the Functionality Appreciation Scale. Body Image, 34, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.04.006.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Linardon, J., Messer, M., & Tylka, T. L. (2023). Functionality appreciation and its correlates: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Body Image, 45, 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.02.002.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Soulliard, Z. A., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2020). Confirmatory factor analyses of the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and Functionality Appreciation Scale among LBGQ adults. Current Psychology, 40, 4278–4286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01199-w.CrossRef Google Scholar

Soulliard, Z. A., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2022). Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of three positive body image measures among cisgender sexual minority and heterosexual women. Body Image, 40, 146–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.002.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., Furnham, A., Horne, G., & Stieger, S. (2020). Taking it apart and putting it back together again: Using Item Pool Visualisation to summarize complex data patterns in (positive) body image research. Body Image, 34, 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.004.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

Todd, J., & Swami, V. (2020). Assessing the measurement invariance of two positive body image instruments in adults from Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Body Image, 34, 112–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.009.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. L. (2015a). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition. Body Image, 14, 118–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.04.001.CrossRef Google Scholar

Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. W. (2015b). The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Item refinement and psychometric evaluation. Body Image, 12, 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.09.006.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Webb, J. B., Wood-Barcalow, N. L., & Tylka, T. L. (2015). Assessing positive body image: Contemporary approaches and future directions. Body Image, 14, 130–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.03.010.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Wood-Barcalow, N. L., Tylka, T. L., & Augustus-Horvath, C. L. (2010). “But I like my body”: Positive body image characteristics and a holistic model for young-adult women. Body Image, 7(2), 106–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.01.001.CrossRef Google Scholar

Accessibility standard: WCAG 2.0 A

Why this information is here

This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.

Accessibility Information

The PDF of this book conforms to version 2.0 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring core accessibility principles are addressed and meets the basic (A) level of WCAG compliance, addressing essential accessibility barriers.

Content Navigation

Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.

Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.

Reading Order & Textual Equivalents

Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.

Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.

Visual Accessibility

Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.

Structural and Technical Features

ARIA roles provided
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.