Factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) in transgender and gender diverse people from Western countries

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a measure of positive body image that has been validated across diverse demographic groups. Despite increased interest in positive body image among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people, the scale has not been validated within this group, which includes transgender men, transgender women, and a diverse group of non-binary people. This study sought to examine the psychometric properties of the BAS-2 in TGD people. A total of 173 transgender men (aged 18-74 years), 106 transgender women (aged 18-73 years), and 163 non-binary and gender diverse people (aged 18-62 years) from Western countries completed an online survey that included the BAS-2 as well as self-reported measures of body dissatisfaction, gender dysphoria, transgender congruence, self-esteem, and impression management. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the BAS-2 generated a unidimensional construct in transgender men, women, and non-binary/gender diverse people. Construct validity was supported in each of the gender groups, and measurement invariance tests suggested the BAS-2 functioned in the same way across transgender men and women. The BAS-2 also demonstrated excellent internal consistency in each of the three groups. This study revealed that the BAS-2 is a reliable and valid measure to evaluate body appreciation among TGD people and provided a nuanced understanding of the measure's structure in diverse genders.