Assessment of shape- and weight-based self-esteem in adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The Adolescent version of the Shape and Weight-Based Self-Esteem (SAWBS-A) Inventory provides a contextual measure of the importance of shape and weight to overall feelings of self-worth. The psychometric properties of the adult SAWBS Inventory have been previously established. The present research examined the psychometric properties of this measure in adolescent females, and compared structural aspects of self-concept in symptomatic and nonsymptomatic individuals. METHOD: A school sample of 197 adolescents completed the SAWBS-A Inventory and measures to assess concurrent and discriminant validity. A subsample completed the SAWBS-A Inventory a second time, 1 week later. RESULTS: SAWBS-A scores were stable over 1 week and correlated with measures of eating disorder symptomatology. The scores also discriminated between adolescents reporting few or no disturbed eating symptoms and possible/probable cases. Comparison of self-esteem profiles in these two groups revealed that in addition to body, the groups differed in the extent to which facial appearance contributed to feelings of self-worth. CONCLUSIONS: The SAWBS-A Inventory may be useful in examining structural dimensions of self-esteem in adolescents.

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