Abstract

The aim of the study was to test the validity of the Italian version of the Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory (BICSI). This scale assesses cognitive and behavioural activities used to manage challenges to body image and comprises three subscales: avoidance, appearance fixing, and positive rational acceptance. Participants were 467 University students (age range: 18-35). We carried out four subsequent analyses: 1) an explorative factor analysis; 2) a confirmatory factor analysis via structural equation modelling; 3) the test of the structural invariance between males and females; and 4) the correlation of the subscales values with other crucial measures to test the convergent validity. Results indicated that the Italian version of the BICSI is an internally consistent and valid tool. The factorial structure is consistent with the original version and is invariant between men and women. This scale shows significant relationships with other measures associated with body image and psychosocial functioning.