ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the risks and opportunities associated with Facebook usage and to explore the moderating role of psychosocial (mal)adjustment, nationality and age in these relationships. This correlational study involved a sample of 452 Brazilian and 500 Portuguese youths, aged between 14 and 20 years. Results showed that these youths spent a daily average of 61-120 minutes on Facebook, three to four times per week, displaying a positive attitude towards its use. These characteristics were most notable in the Brazilian youths [t(950) = 5.64, p < .001; t(950) = -5.07, p < .001; and t(950) = - 6.85, p < .001, respectively]. The Portuguese youths ran more risks than the Brazilians [t(950) = 6.36, p < .001], but both youths equally enjoyed the opportunities. In the case of the Portuguese youths, the risks and opportunities were moderated by the frequency of use, in other words "the higher the usage, the more risks and opportunities" (ß = -.235 p < .001and ß = -.167, p < .001, respectively). The psychosocial adjustment indicators did not moderate the effects of Facebook usage habits in risks and opportunities. The less psychosocially adjusted youths were those who ran more risks and also made the most of the opportunities. The results are discussed in light of the role of psychological, socio-cultural and developmental factors.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Emotional Adjustment , Risk-Taking , Social Adjustment , Social Media , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior/ethnology , Adult , Brazil/ethnology , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Female , Humans , Male , Portugal/ethnology , Social Media/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. METHODS: Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. RESULTS: A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. CONCLUSIONS: This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.
Subject(s)
Body Image/psychology , Psychological Tests , Social Perception , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Heterosexuality/psychology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychometrics , Sex Factors , Sexual Partners/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Thinking , Young AdultABSTRACT
Abstract Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. Methods Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. Results A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. Conclusions This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.
Resumo Objetivo Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS), nomeadamente sua estrutura fatorial e invariância, fidelidade e validade quando aplicada a adultos de uma amostra comunitária. Métodos Participaram 810 heterossexuais portugueses envolvidos numa relação de compromisso. Uma vez que a análise fatorial confirmatória não apoiou a estrutura original da escala, conduziu-se uma análise exploratória. Resultados Extraiu-se uma versão da escala com 12 itens, que integra duas dimensões: uma pessoal e outra social. O modelo fatorial composto por esta estrutura bidimensional revelou um ajustamento adequado aos dados, após a análise fatorial confirmatória. A análise confirmatória multigrupos indicou invariância entre os gêneros. A validade concorrente e discriminante e a consistência interna foram estimadas e apresentaram valores adequados. Conclusões A versão final, com 12 itens, da BAAS avalia com acuidade as crenças acerca da aparência corporal e pode ser utilizada em diferentes contextos de investigação.