Body esteem scale: A validation on Italian adolescents

This work aims to translate and validate the Body Esteem Scale (BES, Mendelson, Mendelson, & White, 2001) in an Italian sample and to evaluate its reliability and dimensionality. The scale was administered to a sample of 674 Italian adolescents aged 11-16 years (M = 13.33; SD = 2.1). The results showed good reliability and internal validity. Explorative and confirmatory analysis revealed that a three correlated-factor model, similar to that found in the original form, explains the data well. In addition, BES correlates positively with the Body Image Satisfaction questionnaire (Rauste von Wright, 1989; Italian version by Alparone, Prezza, & Camarda, 2000) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965; Italian version by Prezza, Trombaccia, & Armento, 1997). The BES, Italian version, seems to offer a good measure of body image perception among adolescents and could be used in research, for assessment, preventative intervention, and health promotion.