The Body Investment Scale: Construction and validation of a body experience scale

A new measure of emotional investment in the body is presented. The Body In vestment Scale (BIS) pertains especially to self-destructive behavior and c an be used to study a variety of normal and pathological behaviors. Studies 1 and 2 describe the construction of the BIS, factor analysis, and a group comparison (suicidal and nonsuicidal inpatients and normal adolescents). S tudy 3 tested the relationship between the BIS, physical anhedonia, depress ion, and suicidal tendencies. Study 4 examined the relationship between the BIS, perceived early care, self-esteem, and suicidal tendencies. The BIS c onsists of four internally reliable factors (body image feelings and attitu des, comfort in touch, body care, and body protection). The construct valid ity hypotheses were confirmed. The relevance of the BIS to self-destructive behavior and related processes is discussed.