Open AccessThe Computer Body Image Test: a procedure for the assessment of body image perception
Author(s) -
Hennighausen Klaus,
Remschmidt Helmut
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of methods in psychiatric research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.275
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1557-0657
pISSN - 1049-8931
DOI - 10.1002/mpr.62
Subject(s) - reliability (semiconductor) , distortion (music) , body shape , psychology , anorexia nervosa , perception , image (mathematics) , ideal (ethics) , test (biology) , eating disorders , validity , artificial intelligence , computer vision , computer science , psychometrics , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , amplifier , computer network , power (physics) , physics , philosophy , paleontology , bandwidth (computing) , epistemology , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , biology
The aim of our study was to develop a procedure that combines the capabilities of body‐part estimation procedures and image distortion techniques. Distorted computerized images of the subjects are presented on a computer monitor. The whole body and body parts can be manipulated interactively. Reliability, stability and validity of the perceived and ideal body image were obtained in a sample of 36 inpatients suffering from anorexia nervosa. The procedure yielded a very high reliability. Perceived and ideal body images are stable after a mean time interval of 60 days. Significant correlations with the Body Shape Questionnaire and subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory indicate the validity of the procedure. The procedure adds a significant improvement to common image distortion techniques by adding the possibilities of body part distortions. Copyright © 1999 Whurr Publishers Ltd.