Construção e validação da “Escala de Insatisfação e Checagem Corporal nos Esportes” para atletas brasileiros

Abstract

Psychometric instruments were developed in order to evaluate body dissatisfaction or body checking. However, it is noteworthy that these tools were built based on the general population. Whereas athletes show "double" body image (e.g., general and sports), these instruments may not be sensitive enough to detect athletes dissatisfied with the body, or athletes with high frequency of body checking behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to build psychometric scale that seeks to examine body image components in sports enviroment. Given the above, the objective of the research was to construct and validate the male and female versions of "Dissatisfaction and Body Checking in Sports Scale" (SDCS). We used the deductive method for the preparation of the scale. Thus, the initial creation of the items was based on sociocultural theory of body image, the findings of three qualitative studies and notes author of seven systematic reviews. A total of six doctors, considered experts in body image area to compose the group of experts. Experts pointed changing needs, as well as adding several items in both versions of the scale (female and male). Because of all scale items reach average above than four ("Got almost everything"), was conducted to the second version of SDCS in a diverse sample of athletes (50 female and 65 male) and coaches (soccer, swimming and basketball). The final version of SDCS was identical to the second version, due to athletes and coaches indicate average above 4 verbal comprehension and coaches in verbal comprehension and concept. The SDCS was administered to 484 female (female version) and 713 male athletes (male version). To evaluate body dissatisfaction directed to the thinness was conducted the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). We used the subscale Muscularity-oriented body image of Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) to assess muscularity dissatisfaction. The body checking behaviors in females were evaluated by the Body Checking and Avoidance Questionnaire (BCAQ). The body checking behaviors in males was evaluated by the Male Body Checking Questionnaire (MBCQ). We used the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) to assess disordered eating. The percentage of fat was evaluated for classifying the body fat athletes. To evaluate the reliability of SDCS, we used two weeks interval for retesting. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 software, adopting a significance level of 5%. The findings showed factor structure that explained more than 40% of the variability scale and internal consistency with values above .70 and .65 for all factors of female and male versions, respectively. Furthermore, the versions of SDCS indicated convergent validity, reproducibility and suitable as measured by the interval of two weeks. Finally, the results showed discriminant and predictive validity of SDCS from body fat ratings and the relationship with the scores of EAT-26, respectively. It was concluded that the SDCS indicated good psychometric properties for the athletes. This study provides scientific-practical innovation for professionals working in the sporting context. The SDCS can be used to detect body image disturbance in athletes.