Abstract
The factor structure of the Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale (PASTAS) was examined with exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The sample consisted of 196 women who self-identified as Hispanic, were low to moderately acculturated, had socioeconomic status levels of semiskilled workers, and had a normal body mass index (BMI). The final factor structure differed from the established factor structures found for Caucasian women. The published two factor structure (weight and nonweight) had a 2/df ratio of 4.5 (trait) and 5.2 (state) with fit indices ranging from .753 to .795, indicating a poor fit. Anew three-factor solution (weight-related lower torso, weight-related midtorso, and non-weight-related) was found using EFA. After slight modifications, the final model had a 2/df ratio of 2.6 for both versions with fit indices ranging from .882 to .930. This new model can be used to test body image anxiety among young, English-speaking college women of Mexican descent.
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