Investigating method effects associated with the wording direction of items of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The use of psychometric instruments to measure latent concepts is common. The development of these instruments usually involves mechanisms to reduce response bias, such as the inclusion of reversed items. The aim of this study was to investigate method effects related to the wording direction of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) items, a one-dimensional instrument that assesses individual's level of anxiety when others observe their body.

Methods

In total, 152 Brazilian adults (65.8% female) answered 2 formats of the SPAS: the original with 12 items (7 regular and 5 reversed); and a new format with all items written in the same direction (i.e., regular). Both formats were filled out at different times and alternately. Differential item functioning analysis (DI

SUBMITTER: da Silva WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9278313 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature