OBJECTIVES: This paper presents the Polish version of the Body Image Self-Consciousness Scale (BISC-PL) originally developed by M.W. Wiederman.METHODS: Psychometric properties of the BISC-PLwere examined in a sample of 169 young women aged 18-35 (M = 22.24; SD = 3.61) who self-identified as heterosexual. Measures of sexual self-esteem, heterosexual experience, body satisfaction, self-monitoring and other variables were administered along with the BISC-PL for validity testing.RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis (with the use of WLSMV) proved the one-factor structure of the BISC-PL. Goodness of fit indices were: CFI =0.91; TLI =0.90; RMSEA=0.06; SRMR = 0.05. In most cases the tool confirmed its construct and discriminant validity with regard to the aforementioned variables. BISC-PLscores were predictive of sexual self-esteem and self-evaluation of oneself as a sexual partner, beyond effects due to body satisfaction and self-evaluated body attractiveness. The instrument was found to be a reliable (. = 0.96) and valid measure of body image self-consciousness during physical intimacy with a partner in studied women.CONCLUSIONS: Polish version of the BISC can be considered comparable to the original measure. The BISC-PLmay be recommended as a useful tool to complement Polish research and practise. Results are discussed with regard to limitations of the current research and implications for future studies.
Adolescent Adult