Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A)

Abstract

The Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A; McCarthy et al., 2023) was developed to assess self-reported engagement with social, temporal, criteria-based, dimensional, and counterfactual comparisons for both upward and downward standards in relation to appearance. The scale content was initially constructed in English and subsequently translated into German, with the aim of disentangling different comparison directions and standards. The resulting 23-item CSS-A was evaluated in a predominantly student sample of adult participants. The study reported results concerning factor analysis, reliability, and validity for these items.

Keywords

Appearance, Comparison Standards, Downward Comparisons, Self-Evaluation, Social Comparison, Upward Comparisons

Authors

McCarthy, Peter A.; Meyer, Thomas; Back, Mitja D.; Morina, Nexhmedin

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the CSS-A scale is to assess various aspects of the comparison process specifically related to appearance-based standards. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how individuals engage with different comparison directions and standards in the context of their appearance.

Validity

Convergent Construct Validity

Consistent with theoretical expectations, CSS-A upward comparisons were observed to be more frequent than downward comparisons and were associated with negative (versus positive) affective impact. The intensity of comparisons, calculated as comparison frequency multiplied by discrepancy, predicted negative affective impact for upward comparisons and positive affective impact for downward comparisons. This relationship was partially mediated by appearance concern for upward comparisons, which was a composite measure of appearance schemas and physical self-concept. For downward comparisons, this relationship was moderated by negativity, a composite measure of depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem.

Discriminant Construct Validity

The findings indicated that appearance-based upward social comparison intensity had a small inverse relationship with social rank, thereby demonstrating discriminant validity.

Reliability

Internal Consistency

The factors derived from the CSS-A explained 17.6% and 5.9% of the total variance, respectively. Analyses indicated acceptable reliability for both the upward factor (α = .79) and the downward factor (α = .71).

Factor Analysis

Exploratory Factor Analysis

During the exploratory factor analysis, two factors were obtained, which explained 17.6% and 5.9% of the total variance, respectively.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Following the removal of one item, the optimized bifactor model demonstrated an improved fit, with χ² (207) = 341.79, p < .001; RMSEA = 0.047 (90% CI: 0.038–0.055); SRMR = .078; and CFI = 0.964.

Instrument: Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A)

Test Type

Original Inventory/Questionnaire

Format

For each specified standard (e.g., social familiar: a close friend), participants were asked to what extent they compared with the standard that looks better (upward) and looks worse (downward). Participants rated the degree to which they had engaged in each type of comparison over the past three weeks using a six-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 5 (very often). If participants indicated a response greater than “0 – not at all”, they were prompted with two follow-up questions. Firstly, they rated the degree of discrepancy with the standard by indicating how much better or worse they perceived the standard to be on a six-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 5 = much better/worse). Secondly, respondents indicated the extent to which the comparison made them feel better or worse on a bipolar seven-point Likert scale for affective impact (-3 = much worse to +3 = much better).

Language Available

German

Population Group

Human; Male; Female

Age Group

Adulthood (18 years and older)

Population Details

The respondents were adult participants located in Germany.

Test Methodology

The test methodology involved various approaches to establish the psychometric properties of the CSS-A. These included Test Validity, Construct Validity, Convergent Validity, Discriminant Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Exploratory Factor Analysis.

Keywords

Appearance, Comparison Standards, Downward Comparisons, Upward Comparisons

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier

• McCarthy, Peter A.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6740-6166

• Meyer, Thomas: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7228-5365

• No data is Available

• No data is Available

Affiliation

• McCarthy, Peter A.: Institute of Psychology, University of Munster

• Meyer, Thomas: Institute of Psychology, University of Munster

• Back, Mitja D.: Institute of Psychology, University of Munster

• Morina, Nexhmedin: Institute of Psychology, University of Munster

Email Addresses

• Morina, Nexhmedin: [email protected]

• No data is Available

• No data is Available

• No data is Available

Correspondence Address

Morina, Nexhmedin: [email protected]

Permissions & Fee

The CSS-A is non-commercial, and there is no fee associated with its use. Permissions can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author.

Test Year

2023

References

McCarthy, P. A., Meyer, T., Back, M. D., & Morina, N. (2023). How we compare: A new approach to assess aspects of the comparison process for appearance-based standards and their associations with individual differences in wellbeing and personality measures. PLoS ONE, 18(1), Article e0280072. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280072

Items of the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A)

The CSS-A measure consists of 23 items. The specific items are not available in the provided text.

Factors and Subscales

The CSS-A is composed of two main subscales: Upward comparisons and Downward comparisons.