An Exploration of the Psychometric Properties of the SATAQ-4 among Adolescent Boys in Japan

Research among Western adult and adolescent males suggests that sociocultural influences are implicated in the drive for muscularity and weight-change behaviors. However, few studies have examined these relationships among adolescent boys from non-Western backgrounds. The current study sought to assess the psychometric properties of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), a 22-item, 5-factor measure of sociocultural influence on appearance ideals, among Japanese (n = 984) adolescent boys. Relationships between appearance-related pressures, appearance ideal internalization, appearance-related teasing, drive for muscularity, and weight-change behaviors were also assessed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified a four factor solution (Internalization: Thin/Low Body Fat, Internalization: Muscular/Athletic, Pressures: Media, and Pressures: Family/Peers) with 16 items in this sample. Correlational analyses supported the construct validity of the SATAQ-4. Thin internalization was associated with strategies to lose weight, while muscular internalization was associated with drive for muscularity and strategies to gain weight. Further, peer and parental appearance teasing was associated with perceived appearance pressures from family and peers, as well as weight change strategies. Overall, results suggested modification of the SATAQ-4 when used with Japanese samples, but supported its use to assess sociocultural influences. Additionally, the results highlight that sociocultural influences and muscularity concerns among Japanese adolescent boys are associated in similar ways with weight change strategies as has been established for adolescent males in Western countries.