3 - (IOP 20) Developing the Functionality Awareness and Appreciation Measure (FAAM): A Multidimensional Approach to Functionality Appreciation

Body functionality appreciation (BFA) is a facet of positive body image that emphasizes functions of the body, rather than how the body looks. High BFA has been associated with improved body image, well-being, and embodiment, as well as reduced disordered eating. Currently, the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), the only available measure of BFA, offers a general understanding of this factor, but lacks the specificity to distinguish between different bodily functions, potentially limiting clarity and applicability. To address this challenge, the Functionality Awareness and Appreciation Measure (FAAM) was developed as a multidimensional assessment capturing three salient functions (movement, creativity, and sensation).
Items were designed to capture four core functions of BFA (value, mindful awareness, appreciation, and positive body experiences) derived from theory and research on BFA and embodiment. They were refined through expert feedback, and pilot-tested for clarity, relevance, and accessibility.
Participants (N = 255; Mage = 20.38, SD = 4.95) were undergraduate students who completed the FAAM, the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), and the FAS via an online survey. Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) revealed four-factor solutions across all three functions, identifying a shared sequence of value, awareness, appreciation, and positive body experiences. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) indicated excellent-to-good model fit (Movement: CFI = 99, TLI = .98; Creativity: CFI = .98, TLI = .98; Sensation: CFI =0.99, TLI = .984), and internal consistency exceeded .70 across and within subscales. Correlations among the three functional domains were moderate to high, supporting a multi-functional conceptualization of BFA.
Construct validity was demonstrated through significant associations between the total FAAM score and both the FAS (r = .50, p < .01) and BAS-2 (r = .47, p < .01). The movement (FAS: r = .54, BAS-2: r = .49) and sensation (FAS: r = .52, BAS-2: r = .45) subscales showed similar results, whereas creativity exhibited modest associations (FAS: r = .24, BAS-2: r = .26), suggesting it captures a unique facet of BFA. These results demonstrate a shared sequence of factors (i.e., awareness, appreciation and positive body experiences), highlighting the value of a multidimensional model that incorporates multiple bodily functions when assessing and fostering BFA.
The FAAM provides a targeted lens for understanding how individuals engage with their bodies, enabling interventions that leverage each person’s most salient functional domain. By isolating specific body functions and differentiating distinct factors of BFA, this tool enhances the accessibility of this construct and offers valuable clinical insights for addressing body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating. This approach offers insight for more nuanced theoretical models of positive embodiment and BFA. Future research will investigate the FAAM’s utility in diverse populations and its effectiveness in monitoring treatment outcomes, thereby advancing both clinical practice and research in body image and eating disorders.