Examination of the factor structure of the Body Image Concern Inventory among sexual minority men

The Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) is a brief self-report measure of dysmorphic concern, which is characterized by intense preoccupation with perceived flaw(s) in one's appearance. Previous investigations of the factor structure of the BICI have demonstrated mixed findings, and further investigation within Western populations is particularly needed among men. While sexual minority men are known to exhibit heightened body image disturbance compared to their heterosexual counterparts, the structural validity of the BICI has not been evaluated within this population. As such, we investigated the factor structure of the BICI within a sample of sexual minority men in an iterative fashion according to models tested or called for in prior research. First, we examined a one-, two-, and three-factor first order structure of the BICI using confirmatory factor analysis. None of these structures provided an excellent fit to the current sample across multiple indices (e.g., comparative fit index [CFI] < 0.90, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] > 0.08). Next, we examined higher-order models of two- and three-factor structures of the BICI, which also did not adequately fit the data (e.g., CFI < 0.90, RMSEA >0.08). Finally, we employed exploratory factor analysis, which revealed a three-factor model that slightly differed from previously supported three-factor models. Factor loadings suggested subpar item functioning of four of nineteen items on the BICI (i.e., items 3, 4, 12, and 13), implications of which are discussed.