Objectified Body Consciousness Scale

What is the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale?

The Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) is a 24-item tool that evaluates how individuals, particularly females, view and monitor their bodies in relation to societal standards (McKinley & Hyde, 1996). It is made up of three key areas: body surveillance (viewing the body as an outsider), body shame (feeling inadequate when the body doesn't meet expectations), and appearance control beliefs (the belief that one can control their appearance). This scale helps identify mental health risks such as body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and low self-esteem.

The Objectified Body Consciousness Scale is commonly used in clinical psychology and research settings to explore body image concerns and identify individuals at risk for conditions like an eating disorder or body esteem issues.

How to use our Objectified Body Consciousness Scale template?

Here's how to use our free OBCS template:

Step 1: Access the template

You can access and download our printable Objectified Body Consciousness Scale by either clicking the “Use Template” or “Download Template” button above or searching “Objectified Body Consciousness Scale” in Carepatron's template library on our website or app.

Step 2: Introduce the OBCS to the client

Explain to the client that the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale is a tool designed to assess how they perceive their body based on societal standards. Reassure them that the assessment is confidential and aimed at better understanding their perception of their physical appearance to support their mental health if needed.

Step 3: Administer the OBCS

Give the client the OBCS, either in print or digitally, and instruct them to answer each item based on their typical thoughts and feelings about their body. Encourage them to respond honestly and naturally, without overthinking, to ensure accurate insights.

Step 3: Score the OBCS

After the client has completed the scale, score it by summing up the responses for each of the three subscales (surveillance scale, body shame scale, and appearance control beliefs scale). Instructions on how to score the scale can be found in the template as well as below under 'Scoring'.

Step 4: Use the OBCS to inform clinical decision making

Use the results to identify areas where the client may need support, such as addressing body shame or promoting body acceptance. The scores can help guide treatment plans and interventions and inform decisions about referrals if needed.

Scoring

Scoring the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale involves summing the responses for each of the three subscales: surveillance, body shame, and appearance control beliefs. Each item is rated on a Likert scale, typically from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). For the surveillance and body shame subscales, higher scores indicate a greater tendency to monitor one's body and feel shame when it doesn't meet societal standards. For the appearance control beliefs subscale, higher scores suggest a stronger belief that one can control or alter their appearance.

Some items are reverse scored, marked with asterisks, where responses on the Likert scale are inverted. For instance, if a participant scores a 7 on a reverse-scored item, it is recorded as a 1 during scoring. Once all items are scored, totals for each subscale are calculated, with higher overall scores reflecting greater endorsement of objectified body consciousness.

Next steps after conducting the test

After conducting the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the next steps involve interpreting the results to inform clinical decision making. Begin by discussing the scores with the client, highlighting the areas of concern such as high levels of body shame or surveillance. This conversation can provide a foundation for exploring the client's thoughts and feelings about their own bodies.

If the scores indicate significant issues, consider implementing interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative body image and self-esteem. You can find resources on our website such as the CBT Therapy Worksheet or CBT Treatment Plans, to help structure your sessions moving forward and provide targeted support for improving body image and self esteem.

Additionally, monitor progress through follow-up appointments and assessments in order to evaluate changes in body consciousness over time. If necessary, refer clients to specialists for deeper issues such as binge eating, restrained eating or mental health concerns.

Reference

McKinley, N. M., & Hyde, J, S. (1996). The objectified body consciousness scale: Development and validation. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20(2), 181-215. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1996.tb00467.x