Psychometric evaluation of the Drive for Muscularity Scale among weightlifters in Jamaica.

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (McCreary and Sasse, J Am Coll Health 48(6): 297–304, 2000) (DMS) among a sample of Jamaican male weightlifters. Methods 205 weightlifters (Mage=28.49, SD=9.61) from rural and urban areas in Jamaica, completed the DMS, the Depres_x005F_x0002_sion, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS) in a cross-sectional design. Confrmatory factor analysis was performed on the DMS and conventional ft indices used to determine model ft. Measurement invariance was examined for urban and rural participants. Correlations between the DMS scores and the DASS-21 and BASS were determined to examine the validity of the scale. Results Confrmatory factor analysis of the original 2-factor model (muscularity-oriented body image and muscularity behaviors) resulted in overall good ft (CFI=.94, TLI=0.93, RMSEA=0.06 [0.05, 0.08], SRMR=0.08). Also, measurement invariance was observed between weightlifters from rural and urban areas. The DMS was principally correlated with specifc body areas previously associated with male’s body dissatisfaction (muscle tone, upper torso and weight) (rs=0.17 to .47). The DMS showed signifcant weak to moderate negative correlations with the DASS-21 (rs=− 0.16 to − 0.32). Adequate levels of internal consistency were observed (omega=0.75–0.88). Conclusion The DMS showed to be a valid instrument to evaluate the drive for muscularity in Jamaican weightlifters and has utility in informing further research, diagnosis and treatment of body image-related pathologies. Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study