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. 2021 Jan 6:11:594949.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.594949. eCollection 2020.

Validation of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale for Mainland Chinese Children and Adolescents

Hao Chen  1 , Yi-Duo Ye  1
Affiliations

Validation of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale for Mainland Chinese Children and Adolescents

Hao Chen et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Weight stigma internalization among adolescents across weight categories leads to adverse psychological consequences. This study aims to adapt and validate a Chinese version of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale for Mainland Chinese children and adolescents(C-WBIS). A total of 464 individuals aged 9 to 15 years participated in the present study. Based on item response theory (IRT) and classical test theory (CTT), we selected the items for the C-WBIS and evaluated its reliability and validity. The item response theory yields support for the one-dimensional factor mode. All item parameters fit the IRT model (albeit within an adequate range), eight items were adopted. No evidence of significant differential item functioning (DIF) was found for gender and age groups. The C-WBIS was correlated with the Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES) and two subscales of the Social Anxiety Scale for Children (SAS), which indicated an acceptable criterion-related validity. The C-WBIS is a reliable and valid measure that can be used as a psychometrically sound and informative tool to assess weight bias internalization among children and adolescents.

Keywords: Chinese adolescents; classical test theory; item response theory; psychometric properties; weight stigma internalization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Matrix plot of item characteristic curves.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Plot of actual versus randomly generated eigenvalues.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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