Psychometric analysis of the Sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in Mexican university students

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/revsalud/a.14203

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Published: Feb 19, 2026
Issue: Vol. 24 No. 1 (2026): Revista Ciencias de la Salud
Section Research Paper on Health Social Studies


Keywords: Psychometrics validation body image attitude

Main Article Content

Authors

  Sergio Alexis Dominguez-Lara
Instituto de Investigación FCCTP, Universidad de San Martín de Porres
  Fidelina Anastacio-Landa
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana
Tania Romo-González
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana
  Socorro Herrera-Meza
Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad Veracruzana
  Yolanda Campos-Uscanga
Universidad Veracruzana

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, thinness for women and muscularity for men has been established as the aesthetic ideal. The internalization of this body ideal could trigger dissatisfaction with body image and risk of developing eating behavior disorders affecting the physical and mental health of university students. The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sociocultural Attitudes to Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-4) in Mexican male and female university students. Materials and methods. An instrumental study was conducted. The SATAQ-4 was evaluated by experts for cultural and linguistic adaptation. It was piloted in a sample of 34 men and women with the same characteristics as the final sample, who did not report problems in understanding the content of the items. A total of 451 Mexican university students (41.7% male and 58.3% female), aged between 18 and 29 years (mean age = 20.82; SD = 1.98) participated. Results. The five-dimensional model was found to have an adequate fit in both men and women, with acceptable factorial parameters, although some items were progressively eliminated because they presented factorial complexity. After analyzing measurement invariance, a 19-item version was obtained for men and an 18-item version for women with adequate magnitude loadings on their theoretical factor. Adequate reliability indicators were obtained (> 0.75). Conclusions: The SATAQ-4 maintained the five-dimensional factor structure, with an adequate version for men and another version for women.

How to Cite
Dominguez-Lara, S. A., Anastacio-Landa, F., Romo-González, T., Herrera-Meza, S., & Campos-Uscanga, Y. (2026). Psychometric analysis of the Sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in Mexican university students. Revista Ciencias De La Salud, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/revsalud/a.14203
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