The two 18-item parallel forms of the Assessment of Body-Image Cognitive Distortions (ABCD; Cash et al., 2004) tap into distorted thinking related to how people process information about their physical appearance. It is based on the theory that people who are disproportionately invested in their appearance process attend to, encode, retrieve, recall, and interpret information in accordance with their appearance-related concerns (e.g., if no one comments favorably on their outfit, they may conclude that it is not flattering). ABCD items are phrased as hypothetical situations and respondents indicate the extent to which each situation is consistent with the mental conversations that they have about their own appearance. The ABCD can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults, and it is free to use. This chapter discusses the development of the ABCD and provides evidence of its psychometrics. There is evidence for its unidimensionality. Its internal consistency reliability as well as convergent, concurrent, incremental, and predictive validity. This chapter provides all items, the response scale, and instructions for administering and scoring the ABCD. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain and purchase the ABCD, permissions, copyright, and contact information are available for readers.

The 6-item Centre for Appearance Research Valence Measure (CARVAL) and the 7-item Centre for Appearance Research Salience Measure (CARSAL; Moss & Rosser, 2012) assess different dimensions of body image. The CARVAL measures the valence of appearance-related thoughts and feelings, while the CARSAL assesses the salience or importance of appearance in an individual’s self-concept. These scales can be administered in-person to adolescents and adults and are free for use under a Creative Commons license. This chapter outlines the development of the CARVAL and CARSAL scales, including expert input and testing across diverse populations. Both scales have demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: .88 to .93 for CARVAL, .86 to .91 for CARSAL) and reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses support the scales’ cognitive, affective, and relational dimensions. This chapter provides detailed instructions for administering the scales, the Likert-based response format, and scoring procedures. Known translations include Portuguese, and further translations may be developed. The chapter also provides information on copyright and permissions, ensuring that these tools are accessible for research and clinical purposes.

The 20-item Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R; Cash et al., 2004) assesses respondents’ investment in their appearance vis-à-vis their beliefs or assumptions about the importance, meaning, and influence of appearance in their life. The ASI-R measures two dimensions of appearance investment: self-evaluative salience (using appearance to measure self-worth) and motivational salience (appearance-related focus and engagement in appearance-related practices such as frequent grooming). The ASI-R can be administered online or in-person to adolescents or adults, and it is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the ASI-R and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis have supported the ASI-R’s 2-factor structure (self-evaluative salience, motivational salience) that is invariant across age and gender. Its internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity are supported. Next, this chapter provides all items, the response scale, and instructions for administering and scoring the ASI-R. Links to known translations are included. Logistics of use, such as how to obtain and purchase the ASI-R, permissions, copyright, and contact information are available for readers.

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.

The 6-item Distinctive Appearance Investment Scale (Tiggemann & Golder, 2006) assesses need for uniqueness in the appearance domain, i.e., an individual’s desire to look different and stand out. The Distinctive Appearance Investment Scale can be administered online or in-person to adolescents and adults and is free to use in any setting. This chapter first discusses the development of the Distinctive Appearance Investment Scale within the tattooing and body modification literatures and then provides evidence of its psychometrics. More specifically, the Distinctive Appearance Investment Scale has been found to have a single-factor structure. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity support its use. Next, this chapter provides the Distinctive Appearance Investment Scale items, instructions for administration, the item response scale, the scoring procedure, and known translations. Logistics of use, such as permissions and copyright, are provided for readers.

• We all learn about appearance ideals from the people and culture that surround us; we know that thinness (and muscularity! and a certain shape!) is valued.

• Appearance ideals are overwhelmingly unrealistic and can be incredibly damaging to our body image, especially when they come at us repeatedly across the day in our social media feeds.

• General media literacy, changing our approach to how we view the media, and working to value appearance ideals less can help us to protect and improve our body images.