Medos associados à imagem corporal na adolescência: desenvolvimento e validação da Escala de Ansiedade e Evitamento de Situações devido ao Peso e Aparência Física

Aims: The main goal was to develop and validate the Anxiety and Avoidance of Situations due to Weight and Physical Appearance Scale (AASWPAS) in a sample of adolescents.Methods: The sample comprised 357 adolescents, 195 males and 162 females, with ages between 12 and 18 years old, attending secondary schools. Besides the AASWPAS participants also completed a sociodemographic data sheet and a set of self-reported measures that evaluate anxiety, stress and depressive symptoms, bullying experiences, and body-image shame feelings.Results: Both AASWPAS subscales (anxiety / discomfort and avoidance) revealed a two-factor structure and showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α= 0.91), good item quality and excellent temporal stability. The subscales of the AASWPAS were significantly and positively associated with feelings of shame, victimization experiences, and psychopathological symptoms (anxiety, stress, and depression). Females showed higher levels than males in the anxiety subscale and Factor 2 (for both subscales, anxiety, and avoidance).Conclusions: The AASWPAS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess anxiety and avoidance due to physical appearance and weight during adolescence.