Development and validation of the Exteroceptive Body Awareness (EBA) questionnaire
Alisha Vabba, Giuseppina Porciello, Maria Serena Panasiti, Salvatore Maria Aglioti
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA new questionnaire, the Exteroceptive Body Awareness (EBA) scale, was developed and validated to measure bodily self-consciousness based on signals from outside the body, such as vision and touch, which are distinct from internal body signals like heartbeat. Exploratory factor analysis with 302 participants produced an 18-item questionnaire with four factors. Confirmatory factor analysis with 184 participants showed acceptable fit for a bifactor model. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency and was cross-validated with existing body awareness questionnaires and behavioral measures. Exteroceptive and interoceptive awareness are proposed as distinct but interconnected dimensions of bodily self-consciousness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Scale development and validation |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 366 |
| Population | Participants in three studies for scale development and validation |
| Key finding | The Exteroceptive Body Awareness scale is a valid and reliable measure of bodily self-consciousness based on exteroceptive signals. |
Abstract
The conscious processing of body signals influences higher-order psychological and cognitive processes, including self-awareness and body image. Dysfunctions in the processing of these signals has been connected to neurological and psychiatric disorders characterized by altered states of self-consciousness. Studies indicate that the process of perceiving the body through interoceptive signals (e.g., from internal organs such as heartbeat and breathing) is distinct from the one that relies on exteroceptive signals (e.g., from outside the body such as vision, touch, and smell). Questionnaires are available for assessing interoceptive but not Exteroceptive Body Awareness (EBA). To fill this gap, we performed three studies to develop and validate a novel scale designed to assess bodily self-consciousness based on the processing of exteroceptive bodily signals. Exploratory factor analysis (N=302) led to an 18-item questionnaire comprised of four factors. Confirmatory factor analysis (N=184) run on a second sample showed an acceptable fit for a bifactor model. Overall EBA showed good internal consistency. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed via cross-validation with existing body awareness questionnaires (N=366) and behavioural measures (N=64) of exteroceptive and interoceptive body awareness. Research applications are discussed within a multi-faceted model of exteroceptive and interoceptive awareness as distinct, but at the same time interconnected, dimensions of bodily self-consciousness.