Keywords

body image, breast appearance, appearance concerns, cosmetic breast surgery, patient-centered, aesthetic surgery

Abstract

The complexity of breast-specific body image concerns among women considering cosmetic breast surgery (CBS) underscores the need for a nuanced assessment tool. Despite numerous existing body image measures, there remains a need for a concise, validated instrument focusing on satisfaction with breast appearance. The development of the Breast Appearance Concerns Scale (BACS) aimed at assessing the multifaceted nature of breast-specific concerns through a patient centered lens within a population of otherwise healthy young adult women. The BACS was developed through a comprehensive review of existing literature and refined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, in addition to Rasch measurement analysis. The scale's psychometric properties were evaluated, including its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, divergent validity, and predictive validity through its relationship with established measures of appearance investment, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The BACS demonstrated a robust two-factor structure, emphasizing nipple-areola satisfaction and general breast satisfaction, with good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The scale's divergent validity was supported by significant correlations with related psychological measures, establishing its distinctiveness in assessing breast-specific concerns. Discriminant analyses highlighted the scale's predictive efficacy, particularly for general breast satisfaction in relation to CBS consideration. The BACS scales also demonstrated superior specificity and sensitivity compared to other measures of psychological functioning. These findings indicate that the BACS is a reliable and valid instrument, offering deeper insights into the motivations behind CBS. While the scale has potential to improve the clinical consultation process, further research and refinement of the scale is needed to establish its broader applicability. Future directions should explore the BACS's comparative effectiveness with other instruments, its relevance across diverse populations, and its potential to predict post-surgical satisfaction. This study contributes to the ongoing efforts to address body image concerns and improve the quality of care for individuals considering CBS.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Cassisi, Jeffrey

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Clinical Psychology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

DP0028523

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028523

Language

English

Release Date

8-15-2024

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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