Psychometric properties of a Mandarin Chinese Body Acceptance by Others Scale-2 among Chinese adolescents

Perceived acceptance of one's body by important others is a key factor in cultivating positive body image. The present study aims to examine the psychometric properties of a Mandarin Chinese Body Acceptance by Others Scale-2 (BAOS-2) among Chinese adolescents. A sample of 1,122 Chinese adolescents (546 girls, 576 boys), with a mean age = 13.47 years (SD =1.81 years; range = 11-17 years), completed the Mandarin Chinese BAOS-2. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported its unidimensionality among Chinese adolescents. Measurement invariance across gender was also upheld. Internal consistency was supported via McDonald's omega. A total of 45 girls and 52 boys completed the Mandarin Chinese BAOS-2 twice at a 15-day interval, and test-retest reliability was supported via intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Convergent validity was supported by its strong relationship with body appreciation and small-to-moderate relationship with functionality satisfaction. Criterion-related validity was upheld via its small-to-moderate relationship with pressure to conform to appearance ideals, and moderate-to-strong relationship with self-esteem. Additionally, it explained unique variance in self-esteem, body appreciation, and functionality satisfaction beyond age and pressure to conform to appearance ideals, providing incremental validity evidence. Taken together, the Mandarin Chinese BAOS-2 is reliable and valid in assessing body acceptance by others among Chinese adolescents.