Body Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.038

Chapter 37 - Body Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 November 2025

Thomas F. Cash and

Tracy L. Tylka

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 11-item Body Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ; Cash & Szymanski, 1995) approaches the assessment of evaluative body image by considering both appearance evaluation and importance within its structure. Each item has two parts: first respondents evaluate an aspect of their body (appearance, functionality) and then rate how important that specific aspect is to them. The BIQ can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults; it is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BIQ and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the BIQ has been found to have a 2-factor structure: Discrepancy (from body ideal) and Importance (of ideal to body image). Internal consistency reliability and convergent validity support the use of the BIQ, and the BIQ is responsive to therapeutic intervention. Next, this chapter provides all items and the response scales for both Discrepancy and Importance, instructions for administering the BIQ to participants, and scoring procedures. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain the scale, permissions, copyright, and contact information are provided for readers.

Keywords

Body Image Ideals Questionnaire BIQ body image evaluation appearance evaluation appearance investment scale development psychometric evidence factor structure reliability validity administration scoring

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 115 - 117

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.038 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Cash, T. F. (1994). Body-image attitudes: Evaluation, investment, and affect. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 78, 1168–1170. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1994.78.3c.1168.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Cash, T. F. (2000a). Manual for the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire. Available through Tracy Tylka at tylka.2@osu.edu.Google Scholar

Cash, T. F. (2000b). Manual for the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Available through Tracy Tylka at tylka.2@osu.edu.Google Scholar

Cash, T. F., & Szymanski, M. L. (1995). The development and validation of the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire. Journal of Personality Assessment, 64, 466–477. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6403_6.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. Psychological Review, 94(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Lavallee, D. M., & Cash, T. F. (1997, November). The comparative efficacy of two cognitive-behavioral self-help programs for a negative body image. Poster presented at the convention of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Miami Beach.Google Scholar

Szymanski, M. L., & Cash, T. F. (1995). Body-image disturbances and self-discrepancy theory: Expansion of the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 14, 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.1995.14.2.134.CrossRef Google Scholar

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., 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

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