The 69-Item Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ): Psychometric Validation and Gender Invariance of the Greek Version

The Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) is a premier body image assessment tool, yet its full 69-item version lacks psychometric validation and cross-gender measurement invariance testing within the Greek population. This study rigorously evaluated the structural validity, internal consistency reliability, and measurement invariance of the complete Greek MBSRQ using a large community sample of 1776 adults (899 men, 877 women). Construct validity was examined via multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) utilizing the Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (DWLS) estimator to properly accommodate ordinal data. The original 10-factor model demonstrated an acceptable fit for women (CFI = 0.903, RMSEA = 0.086) but exhibited a visibly attenuated, marginal fit for the male subsample (CFI = 0.843, TLI = 0.835, RMSEA = 0.089). While the baseline configural invariance model fit fell below conventional thresholds, sequential constraints supported full scalar invariance (Delta-CFI = 0.004, Delta-RMSEA = 0.002). Significant gender differences emerged, with women reporting higher Appearance Orientation and Overweight Preoccupation. Subjective weight perception more adversely impacted female body satisfaction, whereas health evaluation operated completely independently of aesthetic domains. Consequently, the full Greek MBSRQ provides a reliable platform for cross-gender comparisons, though its structural validity requires qualified, highly cautious interpretation due to male-specific model fit limitations.