The development and initial validation of a new measure of male body dissatisfaction

The purpose of this research was to develop, and establish the initial psychometric properties of, the Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale (MBDS). Ninety-five male students were recruited over three phases. An item-remainder analysis was performed in phase I, convergent and discriminant validity assessed in phase II, and test–retest reliability and factor structure assessed in phase III. The MBDS achieved an alpha level of 0.93 and was inversely related to body esteem (p = 0.02) and self-esteem (p = 0.03), and positively related to how much participants' opinion of themselves was based on their body shape and weight (p < 0.01). The MBDS was not related to measures of affect, and was able to distinguish between males endorsing, and not endorsing, elevated body shape and weight concerns (p < 0.05). Finally, the MBDS displayed a test–retest reliability coefficient of 0.96 (p < 0.01). Findings suggest that the MBDS may fill the need for a reliable and valid measure of body dissatisfaction that allows men to weight particular aspects of their body image according to personal importance.