Validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale

Objectives To describe the translation and cultural adaptation, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale when applied to Brazilian pregnant women. Background Poor body image of pregnant women is associated with negative outcomes for maternal and child health. However, there is a lack of psychometric studies aiming to evaluate the body image experiences during pregnancy. Methods A methodological study was carried out with 187 Brazilian pregnant women. We performed translation and cross-cultural adaptation (evidence of content validity), and evaluated the psychometric properties (factorial validity through principal component analysis, discriminant validity, and estimated internal consistency) of the Brazilian version of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale. Results The scale items presented semantic, idiomatic, cultural, and conceptual equivalences, showing evidence of content validity. Principal component analysis resulted in a 6-factor structure with 35 items which showed an adequate adjustment of the scale among Brazilian pregnant women. Adequate estimated internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .88) was found. The Brazilian version was not able to discriminate pregnant women from different gestational age. Conclusion The Brazilian version of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale showed evidence of content validity, factorial validity, and estimated internal consistency.