Construction and validation of a body dissatisfaction scale in Peruvian university students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24265/liberabit.2026.v32n1.1262Keywords:
body image, sociocultural influences, university students, psychometric validation, reliabilityAbstract
Background: Body dissatisfaction is a common problem among university students and is associated with low self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders. Furthermore, the most widely used international questionnaires, such as the SATAQ-4 and SATAQ-4R, have limitations by not including the role of social media and showing difficulties in replicating their factorial structure in different cultural contexts. Objective: To construct and validate a questionnaire to assess body dissatisfaction in Peruvian university students, considering current demands and the sociocultural context. Method: A total of 400 students aged 17 to 30 participated. The Social Influences on Body Image Questionnaire (CISIC) was developed with 30 items based on the Tripartite Model. It was evaluated by expert judges and submitted to EFA and CFA, in addition to internal consistency tests. Results: The findings demonstrated high reliability and validity, and a two-dimensional model was identified. Conclusion: It is concluded that the CISIC is a valid and reliable instrument that will allow the assessment of body dissatisfaction in university students and promote preventive interventions in mental health.
Downloads
References
Abdoli, M., Scotto, M., Desousa, A., & Cotrufo, P. (2024). Cultural differences in body image: A systematic review. Social Sciences, 13(6), 305. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13060305
Abhilasha, K., Madhu, U., & Narinder, S. (2022). Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of body image dissatisfaction among female undergraduate students of University of Delhi. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(5), 2002–2007. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1851_21
Aiken, L. (1980). Content validity and reliability of single items or questionnaires. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 40(4), 955–959. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316448004000419
Al Riyami, Y., Al Senani, I., Al Brashdi, A., Al Balushi, N., Almarabheh, A., & Ahmed, J. (2024). Young females experience higher body image dissatisfaction associated with a high social media use. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 31(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00477-8
Amaral, A. C. S., Meireles, J. F. F., Neves, C. M., Morgado, F. F. R., & Ferreira, M. E. C. (2022). Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of SATAQ-4R for Brazilian adolescents. Psico-USF, 27(2), 265–277. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712022270205
Anthony, R., Young, H., Hewitt, G., Sloan, L., Moore, G., Murphy, S., & Cook, S. (2023). Young people's online communication and its association with mental well-being: results from the 2019 student health and well-being survey. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 28(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12610
Ato, M., López-García, J., & Benavente, A. (2013). Un sistema de clasificación de los diseños de investigación en psicología. Anales de Psicología, 29(3), 1038–1059. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.29.3.178511
Baceviciene, M., Jankauskiene, R., & Balciuniene, V. (2020). Validation of the Lithuanian version of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in a student sample. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 932. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030932
Behar, R., Arancibia, M., & Gaete, M. (2021). Instrumentos de evaluación de la imagen corporal en población hispano latinoamericana (siluetas). Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios, 11(1), 90–107. https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20071523e.2020.1.610
Brown, T. A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Brown, Z., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). Attractive celebrity and peer images on Instagram: Effect on women's mood and body image. Body Image, 19, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.08.007
Canals, J., Sancho, C., & Arija, M. (2009). Influence of parents’ eating attitudes on eating disorders in school adolescents. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18, 353–359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0737-9
Cash, T., & Pruzinsky, T. (Eds.). (1990). Body images: Development, deviance, and change. Guilford Press.
Cihan, B., Bozo, Ö., Schaefer, L. M., & Thompson, J. K. (2016). Psychometric properties of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4-revised (SATAQ-4R) in Turkish women. Eating Behaviors, 21, 168–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.03.003
Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2017). The relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance-focused activities and body image concerns in young women. Body Image, 23, 183–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.10.002
Cunha, C., Pereira, E., Reis, M., de Sá, L., da Silva, H., de Brito, E., & Portela, M. (2023). Factores asociados a la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal en una muestra universitaria brasileña durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Frontiers in Education, 8, Article 1044727. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1044727
Douwes, R., Metselaar, J., Pijnenborg, G., & Boonstra, N. (2023). Well-being of students in higher education: The importance of a student perspective. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2190697. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2190697
Estrada-Araoz, E., Ayay-Arista, G., Pujaico-Espino, J., Yupanqui-Pino, E., Yupanqui-Pino, A., Ferreyros-Yucra, J., Ruiz-Tejada, J., & Rivera-Mamani, F. A. (2024). Insatisfacción corporal y los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en estudiantes de una universidad privada: un estudio correlacional. Retos, 61, 626–635. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.110168
Estrada-Araoz, E., Cruz-Laricano, E., Larico-Uchamaco, G., Cornejo-Valdivia, G., Arias-Huaco, Y., Ramírez-Pulcha, F., Ferreyros-Yucra, J., Ruiz-Tejada, J., & Roque-Guizada, C. (2025). Investigando la relación entre la autoestima, insatisfacción corporal y alimentación emocional en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios. Retos, 62(5), 420–430. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.110782
Escandón-Nagel, N., & Garrido-Rubilar, G. (2023). Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Actitudes Socioculturales hacia la Apariencia (SATAQ-4) en adolescentes y jóvenes chilenos de ambos sexos. Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria, 43(3). https://doi.org/10.12873/433escandon
Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women's body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 13, 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.12.002
Fabrigar, L., Wegener, D., MacCallum, R., & Strahan, E. J. (1999). Evaluating the use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research. Psychological Methods, 4(3), 272-299. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.4.3.272
Forero, C. G., Maydeu-Olivares, A., & Gallardo-Pujol, D. (2009). Factor analysis with ordinal indicators: A Monte Carlo study comparing DWLS and ULS estimation. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 16(4), 625-641. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705510903203573
García, J., & Santos, D. (2025). Insatisfacción con la imagen corporal y salud mental en estudiantes universitarios: Una revisión sistemática. Arandu UTIC, 12(1), 2100–2118. https://doi.org/10.69639/arandu.v12i1.729
García, A., & Gómez-Mármol, A. (2021). Influencia de los estilos parentales en la autopercepción de imagen corporal y violencia escolar en educación secundaria. Revista Digital de Educación Física, 12(68), 140-156. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7696296
Haines, J., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P., & Robinson-O’Brien, R. (2008). Child versus parent report of parental influences on children’s weight-related attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33(7), 783–788. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsn016
Hardit, S., & Hannum, J. (2012). Attachment, the tripartite influence model, and the development of body dissatisfaction. Body Image, 9(4), 469–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.06.003
Heinberg, L. J. (1996). Theories of body image disturbance: Perceptual, developmental, and sociocultural factors. En J. K. Thompson (Ed.), Body image, eating disorders, and obesity: An integrative guide to assessment and treatment (pp. 27–48). American Psychological Association.
Hendrickse, J., Arpan, L., Clayton, R., & Ridgway, J. (2017). Instagram and college women's body image: Investigating the roles of appearance-related comparisons and intrasexual competition. Computers in Human Behavior, 74, 92-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.027
Hogue, J., & Mills, J. (2019). The effects of active social media engagement with peers on body image in young women. Body Image, 28, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.11.002
Hong, W., & Ahmad, N. (2024). Body image dissatisfaction, depression and anxiety in a sample of college students. The Open Psychology Journal, 17. http://doi.org/10.2174/0118743501303541240521104133
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. (1999): Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. http://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
Huguenin, F. M., de Almeida, V. A. R., Rodrigues, M. V. F., Ferreira, M. E. C., & Morgado, F. F. D. R. (2024). Body image of university students: a systematic review of the characteristics of interventions. Psicologia: Reflexao e Critica, 37, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-024-00307-0
Hu, Z., Lin, L., Wang, Y., & Li, J. (2021). The integration of classical testing theory and item response theory. Psychology, 12(9), 1397–1409. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2021.129088
Jiménez-Limas, K., Miranda-Barrera, V., Muñoz-Díaz, K., Novales-Huidobro, S., & Chico-Barba, G. (2022). Insatisfacción corporal, imagen corporal distorsionada y comportamientos alimentarios desordenados en estudiantes universitarios. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), Article 11482. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811482
Jung, J., Barron, D., Lee, Y., & Swami, V. (2022). Social media usage and body image: Examining the mediating roles of internalization of appearance ideals and social comparisons in young women. Computers in Human Behavior, 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107357
Levine, M., & Murnen, S. K. (2009). "Everybody knows that mass media are/are not [pick one] a cause of eating disorders": A critical review of evidence for a causal link between media, negative body image, and disordered eating in females. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28(1), 9–42. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2009.28.1.9
Lie, S. Ø., Bastos, R. V. S., Sundgot-Borgen, C., Wisting, L., & Dahlgren, C. L. (2024). Sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4-revised (SATAQ-4R): Validation in a community sample of Norwegian adolescents. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(195). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01151-4
Lloret-Segura, S., Ferreres-Traver, A., Hernandez-Baeza, A., & Tomas-Marco, I. (2014). Exploratory item factor analysis: A practical guide revised and updated. Anales de Psicología, 30(3), 1151–1169. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.30.3.199361
Lowy, A. S., Rodgers, R. F., Franko, D. L., Pluhar, E., & Webb, J. B. (2021). Body image and internalization of appearance ideals in Black women: An update and call for culturally-sensitive research. Body Image, 39, 313–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.10.005
Ma, J., Wang, K., & Thompson, J. K. (2023). Translation and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in college students. Body Image, 45, 172–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.02.011
Marín, R. (2023). Relación de la insatisfacción corporal y la identificación grupal en hombres y mujeres universitarios durante el Covid19. Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues, 15(2), 47–54. https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/jbhsi/article/view/81311
Nesi, J., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Prinstein, M. J. (2018). Transformation of Adolescent Peer Relations in the Social Media Context: Part 2-Application to Peer Group Processes and Future Directions for Research. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 21(3), 295–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-018-0262-9
Quittkat, H., Hartmann, A., Düsing, R., Buhlmann, U., & Vocks, S. (2019). Body Dissatisfaction, Importance of Appearance, and Body Appreciation in Men and Women Over the Lifespan. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 864. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00864
Paterna, A., Alcaraz-Ibáñez, M., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., & Sicilia, Á. (2021). Internalization of body shape ideals and body dissatisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(9), 1575–1600. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23568
Pérez-Bustinzar, A., Valdez-Aguilar, M., Rojo, L., Radilla, C., & Barriguete, J. (2023). Influencias socioculturales sobre la imagen corporal en pacientes mujeres con trastornos alimentarios: Un modelo explicativo. Psychology, Society & Education, 15(2), 1–9.
Rachmat, A., Riza, W., & Aisha, D. (2024). Body dissatisfaction ditinjau dari social comparison pada perempuan dewasa awal di Kabupaten Karawang. Guidena, 14(3), 613-624. https://doi.org/10.24127/gdn.v14i3.10266
Rodgers, R., Laveway, K., Campos, P., & de Carvalho, P. (2023). Body image as a global mental health concern. Global Mental Health, 10, e2. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2023.2
R Core Team. (2021). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.R-project.org
Riccardo, A. M., Ferrazzi, G., Catellani, S., Gibin, A. M., Nasi, A. M., Marchi, M., Galeazzi, G. M., Thompson, J. K., & Pingani, L. (2024). Validation of an adapted Italian-language version of the sociocultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3), within a female population: The sociocultural attitudes toward appearance questionnaire–social media (SATAQ-SM). Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1193062. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1193062
Sahlan, R., Akoury, L., & Taravatrooy, F. (2020). Validation of a farsi version of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4 (F-SATAQ-4) in Iranian men and women. Eating Behaviors, 39, Article 101438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101438
Salafia, E., & Gondoli, D. (2010). A 4-year longitudinal investigation of the processes by which parents and peers influence the development of early adolescent girls ‘bulimic symptoms. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 31(3), 390–414. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272431610366248
Schaefer, L. M., Harrieger, J. A., Heinberg, L. J., Soderberg, T., & Thompson, J. K. (2017). Development and validation of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4-revised (SATAQ-4R). International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(2), 104–117. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22590
Schilder, P. (1935). The image and appearance of the human body. International Universities Press.
Scott, R., Stuart, J., & Barber, L. (2022). Connecting with close friends online: A qualitative analysis of young adults’ perceptions of online and offline social interactions with friends. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 7, Article 100217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100217
Seekis, V., & Kennedy, R. (2023). The impact of #beauty and #self-compassion tiktok videos on young women’s appearance shame and anxiety, self-compassion, mood, and comparison processes. Body Image, 45, 117-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.02.006
Shen, J., Chen, J., Tang, X., & Bao, S. (2022). The effects of media and peers on negative body image among Chinese college students: A chained indirect influence model of appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00575-0
Soares, A., Filgueiras, J., Mockdece, C., da Rocha, F., & Caputo, M. (2022). Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of SATAQ-4R for Brazilian Adolescents. Psico-USF, 27(2), 265-277. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712022270205
Souza, C., Bernardes, M., da Silva, W. R., Bresan, D., & Menegassi, B. (2025). Sociocultural pressures and appearance ideal internalization: Their impact on body dissatisfaction in Brazilian adults. Preventive Medicine Reports, 56, Article 103149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103149
Sweetingham, R., & Waller, G. (2008). Childhood experience of being bullied and teased in the eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 16(5), 401–407. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.839
Sypeck, M., Gray, J. J., & Ahrens, A. H. (2004). No longer just a pretty face: Fashion magazines' depictions of ideal female beauty from 1959 to 1999. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36(3), 342–347.
Thompson, J., Heinberg, L., Altabe, M., & Tantleff-Dunn, S. (1999). Exacting beauty: Theory, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbance. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10312-000
Tort-Nasarre, G., Pollina-Pocallet, M., Ferrer Suquet, Y., Ortega, M., Vilafranca, M., & Artigues-Barberá, E. (2023). Positive body image: A qualitative study on the successful experiences of adolescents, teachers and parents. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 18(1), Article 2170007. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2170007
Van den Berg, P., Thompson, J., Obremski-Brandon, K., & Coovert, M. (2002). The Tripartite Influence model of body image and eating disturbance: A covariance structure modeling investigation testing the mediational role of appearance comparison. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53(5), 1007-1020. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(02)00499-3
Vargas, Y., & Gaibor, I. (2024). Insatisfacción corporal y dependencia emocional en estudiantes universitarios. Revista Científica Arbitrada Multidisciplinaria PENTACIENCIAS, 6(7), 128–137. https://doi.org/10.59169/pentaciencias.v6i7.1312
Vázquez-Arevalo, R., Valdez, M., López-Aguilar, X., & Mancilla-Diaz, J. (2021). Instrumentos de evaluación de las influencias socioculturales en la interiorización de ideales corporales en población hispana. Revista Mexicana de Trastornos Alimentarios, 11(1), 76–89. https://doi.org/10.22201/fesi.20071523e.2020.1.614
Viladrich, C., Angulo-Brunet, A., & Doval, E. (2017). A journey around alpha and omega to estimate internal consistency reliability. Anales de Psicología, 33(3), 755–782. https://dx.doi.org/10.6018/analesps.33.3.268401
Wertheim, E., Martin, G., Prior, M., Sanson, A., & Smart, D. (2002). Parent influences in the transmission of eating and weight related values and behaviors. Eating Disorders, 10, 321–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640260214507
Yamamiya, Y., Shroff, H., Schaefer, L. M., Thompson, J. K., Shimai, S., & Ordaz, D. L. (2019). An exploration of the psychometric properties of the SATAQ-4 among adolescent boys in Japan. Eating Behaviors, 32, 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.12.001
Zevallos-Delzo, C., Maguiña, J., Catacora, M., & Mayta-Tristán, P. (2020). Adaptación cultural y validación del SATAQ-4 “Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4” para población peruana. Revista Chilena de Neuropsiquiatría, 58(1), 16–28. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92272020000100016
Zuñiga, Y., Guzmán, J., Sánchez, J., Bolaños, F., & Canales, S. (2024). La influencia de las redes sociales en la percepción de la imagen corporal en mujeres jóvenes: Una revisión narrativa. DIVULGARE Boletín Científico de la Escuela Superior de Actopan, 12(Especial), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.29057/esa.v12iEspecial.13308
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Natalia Valeria Vargas Taboada, Andrea Elizabeth Rojas Larrea, Aaron Caycho-Caja

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright: In the event that the manuscript is approved for future publication, the authors retain the copyright and assign to the journal the rights to publish, edit, reproduce, distribute, exhibit, and communicate nationally and internationally in the various databases, repositories and portals.
Self-archiving policy: The author can share, disseminate, and publicize his research published by the media (e.g., academic social networks, repositories, and portals) available on the web. During the editorial review process, the journal will provide the author with the previous versions (post-print) which should NOT be disclosed by any media, only for personal use and for final approval. Liberabit will send the author the final version of the article (published version) in PDF and HTML to be shared, disseminated and disclosed by the media available on the web. After the publication of the articles, the authors can make other independent or additional agreements for the non-exclusive dissemination of the version of the article published in this journal (publication in books or institutional repositories), provided that it is indicated with the respective reference that the work has been published for the first time in this journal.

