Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance–English Version (CSS-A)

Abstract

The Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance–English Version (CSS-A; Morina et al., 2023) is a 48-item instrument designed to evaluate appearance-related social, temporal, counterfactual, criteria-based, and dimensional upward and downward comparisons. It specifically assesses the frequency of these comparisons, the perceived discrepancy resulting from them, and the affect they engender. This measure was developed to address a gap in existing tools for comprehensively capturing multi-standard comparisons validated in English. Grounded in the theoretical framework of the general comparative-processing model, it acknowledges that such comparisons can be perceived as either aversive (threatening to the comparer’s motives) or appetitive (consonant with, or positively challenging to motives). The initial English items, developed by Morina and Schlechter (2023), were translated and validated in German before being administered to an online sample of English-speaking participants for the CSS-A. The CSS-A is composed of 16 items, each rated across three components: frequency, discrepancy, and affect. Factor analysis of the English version revealed a two-factor model. The psychometric properties, including internal consistency, measurement invariance, convergent, and incremental validity, have been reported.

Keywords

Appearance-Related Comparison; Appetitive Comparisons; Aversive Comparisons; Comparison Standards; Engendered Affect; Frequency; General Comparative-Processing Model; Incremental Validity; Perceived Discrepancy; Social Comparison; Physical Appearance; Self-Perception; Social Comparison; Social and Interpersonal Measures

Authors

Morina, Nexhmedin; McCarthy, Peter; Meyer, Thomas; Schlechter, Pascal

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A) is to quantify the extent to which individuals engage in upward and downward comparisons concerning their own appearance. This includes comparisons made through various standards such as social, temporal, counterfactual, criteria-based, and dimensional standards. The instrument aims to capture the frequency of these comparisons, the perceived discrepancy they create, and the emotional responses (engendered affect) associated with them.

Validity

Convergent Validity: The subscales of the CSS-A demonstrated significant correlations with several related constructs, including physical appearance social comparison, body satisfaction, physical self-concept, self-esteem, psychological well-being, and depressive symptoms. These findings indicate that the CSS-A measures constructs that are theoretically expected to be related to appearance-related comparisons.

Incremental Validity: Multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the incremental validity of the CSS-A. The models focused on the three comparison components (frequency, discrepancy, and affect), with aversive and appetitive comparisons predicting outcome variables. The results showed that both aversive and appetitive comparisons were significant predictors of physical self-concept, body satisfaction, self-esteem, depression, and most facets of psychological well-being. This predictive power was observed even when controlling for physical appearance social comparison and body satisfaction, suggesting that the CSS-A provides unique and valuable information beyond existing measures.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The internal consistencies for both the aversive and appetitive comparison factors were found to be acceptable across the three components of the CSS-A. For the frequency component, internal consistency was acceptable for both aversive comparisons (𝛼 = .73; ωtotal= .74) and appetitive comparisons (𝛼 = .73; ωtotal= .74). For the discrepancy component, internal consistency was acceptable for aversive comparisons (𝛼 = .62; ωtotal= .63) and appetitive comparisons (𝛼 = .70; ωtotal= .71). For the affect component, internal consistency was acceptable for aversive comparisons (𝛼 = .81; ωtotal= .81) and appetitive comparisons (𝛼 = .71; ωtotal= .71). These values suggest that the items within each factor and component are consistently measuring the same underlying construct.

Factor Analysis

Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA): Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed to examine the underlying structure of the CSS-A. A two-factor model, comprising “aversive comparisons” and “appetitive comparisons,” provided a better fit to the data compared to a bifactor model that included an additional general domain-factor (comparative thinking). The two-factor model exhibited good fit according to the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and acceptable fit according to the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), supporting its structural validity.

Measurement Invariance: Measurement invariance was assessed across sexes. Strict measurement invariance was established for the frequency and affect scales, indicating that the scales operate similarly for both males and females. For the discrepancy subscale, partial strict measurement invariance was observed, suggesting that while most aspects of the scale are invariant, some minor differences may exist across sexes in how the discrepancy component is interpreted or responded to.

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

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire

Format: The CSS-A is a 48-item scale structured into three components, each with 16 items:

• Frequency: These 16 items assess the frequency of appearance-related comparisons in the past 3 weeks using a six-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 5 = very often).

• Discrepancy: These 16 items evaluate the perceived discrepancy related to appearance comparisons on a six-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 5 = much better/worse).

• Affect: These 16 items measure the affective outcome of appearance comparisons on a bipolar seven-point Likert scale (-3 = much worse to +3 = much better).

Language Available: English

Population Group: Human; Male; Female

Age Group: Adolescence (13-17 yrs); Adulthood (18 yrs & older)

Population Details: The respondents in the validation study were English-speaking individuals aged 17 and older.

Test Methodology: The methodologies employed in the development and validation of the CSS-A include Test Validity, Convergent Validity, Criterion Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Measurement Invariance. The administration method for the validation study was electronic.

Keywords

Appearance-Related Comparison; Appetitive Comparisons; Aversive Comparisons; Comparison Standards; Engendered Affect; Frequency; General Comparative-Processing Model; Incremental Validity; Perceived Discrepancy; Social Comparison.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier:

• Morina, Nexhmedin: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2331-9140

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

Affiliation and Email Addresses:

• Morina, Nexhmedin: University of Münster Institute of Psychology, [email protected]

• McCarthy, Peter: University of Münster Institute of Psychology, [email protected]

• Meyer, Thomas: University of Münster Institute of Psychology, [email protected]

• Schlechter, Pascal: University of Cambridge Department of Psychiatry, [email protected]

Correspondence Address:
Morina, Nexhmedin: University of Münster, Institute of Psychology, Fliednerstr. 21, Münster, Germany, 48149, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author

Fee: No

Commercial: No

Test Year: 2023

References

Morina, N., McCarthy, P., Meyer, T., & Schlechter, P. (2023). Measuring appearance-related comparisons: Validation of the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 47(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-022-10337-6