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 Investment Scale (BIS) pertains especially to self-destructive behavior and can 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). Study 3 tested the relationship between the BIS, physical anhedonia, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Study 4 examined the relationship between the BIS, perceived early care, self-esteem, and suicidal tendencies. The BIS consists of four internally reliable factors (body image feelings and attitudes, comfort in touch, body care, and body protection). The construct validity hypotheses were confirmed. The relevance of the BIS to self-destructive behavior and related processes is discussed.