The Functionality Appreciation Scale: An examination of its psychometric properties in a French-Canadian adult sample

The 7-item Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) is a widely used instrument to assess functionality appreciation, a central facet of positive body image. Here, we examined the psychometric properties of a novel French translation of the FAS. French-speaking Canadian adults were asked to complete the FAS and validated measures of positive body image, psychological well-being, and eating patterns. In a first split-half subsample (n = 385), exploratory factor analysis supported extraction of a unidimensional model with all 7 items. In a second split-half subsample (n = 385), confirmatory factor analytic findings supported the unidimensional model of the FAS. A partial factors-only model indicated that, in both subsamples, the French FAS had differential item functioning based on respondent age and body mass index (BMI), but not on gender identity. In both subsamples, higher respondent age was associated with greater functionality appreciation, whereas higher BMI was associated with lower functionality appreciation. Additional results supported convergent and concurrent validity of the French FAS, with greater functionality appreciation being associated with greater body appreciation and psychological well-being, as well as lower symptoms of maladaptive eating patterns. The present results indicate that the French FAS has strong psychometric properties in French-speaking Canadian adults.