title: [Validation of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (PACS) in a German Sample: Psychometric Properties and Association with Eating Behavior, Body Image and Self-Esteem].
abstract: The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (PACS [14]) is the most commonly used validated measure of body-related social comparison habits. Here we investigate reliability and construct validity of the PACS in a German sample. Participants (n=75 men, n=75 women and n=25 women with a confirmed diagnosis of anorexia nervosa) completed the PACS along with measures of eating disorder pathology, body image and self-esteem. Results show an adequate internal consistency of the PACS for the female subgroups and medium to high correlations with eating disorder pathology, body image and self-esteem. PACS total score differed significantly between groups, with men scoring lowest and women with anorexia nervosa scoring highest. We conclude that the PACS is a sufficiently reliable and valid measure of body-related social comparison habits in women. In men, it should only be used with special care. The PACS is generally suitable to promote patient studies testing the role of social comparisons for the patho-mechanisms of eating disorders.
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Tübingen.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Claire Mölbert
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Psychologie, Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Universität Tübingen.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hautzinger
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Neurologie, Sektion Neuropsychologie, Universität Tübingen.
authors.forename: Hans-Otto
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Karnath
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Tübingen.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zipfel
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Tübingen.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Giel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D066262:Social Norms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult