Exploratory Development Of The Fit Identity Measure (FIM): Phase 3, Study 2

Identities provide criteria that individuals strive to actualize and confirm (Burke & Sets, 2009). Research suggests eating disorders and physique anxieties are often associated with identity development (Stein & Corte, 2008). Using Athletic Identity (Brewer & Cornelius, 2001) and Exercise Identity (Anderson & Cychosz, 1994) measures as foundational guides, the Fit Identity Measure (FIM; Farren et al., 2023) was specifically developed as an instrument to assess the extent to which individuals identify with their perceived physical fitness level. PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a valid means to effectively measure how individuals identify with their physical fitness. METHODS: Phase 1: A proposed 36-item FIM was constructed and assessed by fitness experts. Six items were removed. Phase 2. A sample of 233 university students completed the online survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Parallel Analysis were used to assess factor structure of the proposed measure. Eleven more items were removed to reduce redundancy. Phase 3, Study 2: A sample of 174 university students completed an online survey containing the FIM, exercise behavior (preferred mode), exercise addiction (EAI; Terry et al., 2004), perceived fitness (IFIS; Ortega et al., 2011), and demographics (age, sex, athlete, and sleep quantity). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Parallel Analysis were used to assess factor structure of the updated proposed measure. Internal consistency and correlation analyses were conducted to provide validity evidence. RESULTS: Parallel Analysis and EFA results again indicated a three-factor structure. Scores of the 18-item FIM and its three subscale factors demonstrated high to acceptable internal consistency (α = .91, .91, .85, and .76, respectively). Correlation analysis indicated statistically significant relationships between validity variables and the higher-order and subscale FIM factors (r = .84 to .41, p > .001). CONCLUSION: This second exploratory study provided additional validity and reliability evidence to support the 18-item FIM, which indicated three latent dimensions of fitness identity (tentatively defined as the 8-item Social Identity, 6-item Importance, and 4-item Acceptance subscales). Further exploration and confirmatory analyses of this three-factor model is warranted.