Translation and validation of a Chinese version of the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised in Chinese adults

The current study translated the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R) into Chinese (Mandarin) and examined its psychometric properties in Chinese adult women and men. Sample 1 included 400 women and 400 men to examine the factor structure of the ASI-R with exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Sample 2 involved 300 women and 300 men, and the EFA-derived factor structures in Sample 1 of the ASI-R were examined with exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), bifactor ESEM (B-ESEM), and bifactor ESEM with correlated uniqueness for negatively worded items (B-ESEM-CU) for both women and men. Results of the EFA identified a 4-factor model in women and a 2-factor model in men. The B-ESEM-CU consistently showed the best model fit. In the B-ESEM-CU, the general factor was well-defined, but the specific factors were not, supporting the use of the global factor to conceptualize the ASI-R for Chinese women and men. Evidence of adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the global factor of the ASI-R was suggested in both women and men. Findings suggest the ASI-R is a useful instrument to measure body image investment in Chinese women and men, specifically using the B-ESEM-CU to understand the dimensionality of the ASI-R. • The ASI-R showed gender-specific factor structures in Chinese adults. • The ASI-R was best described by B-ESEM-CU in both Chinese women and men. • The ASI-R had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability in both Chinese women and men. • The global factor of the ASI-R had good construct validity in both Chinese women and men.