The body image structured interview: A new method for the exploration of body image in women with eating disorders

Existing measures of body image concern may he helpful for quantifying such concerns, but are arguably of only limited value in exploring how an individual perceives and experiences his or her body. The Body Image Structured Interview (BISI) is designed to provide a structured but individualized approach to exploring the issue of body image and consists of two main parts: a semi-structured interview focussed on issues concerning the ideal women and her body and a personal construct and repertory grid procedure for exploring body image construction in different areas of the body. In this preliminary exploring study, we aim to asses the appropriateness and validity of the BISI in a clinical sample of 16 women with eating disorders and explore similarities and differences between them and comparison group of 11 non-eating-disordered women. Results from this preliminary study suggest that the BISI is suitable for use with subjects with eating disorders and may be valuable in highlighting personal issues associated with body image, including those specific to particular body parts. Preliminary results also suggest that whilst both clinical and non-clinical subjects place a similar emphasis on the importance of slimness and physical appearance, for non-eating-disordered young women such construction is less all-pervasive in how they view themselves. Such findings will need confirmation and elaboration in a larger scale study. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and Eating Disorders Association.