The Body Experience Questionnaire for adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning (BEQ-mb): Development and initial evaluation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Body experience is an important facet of psychosocial functioning and health. However, to date no test exists to measure body experience in adults with mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning (MID-BIF). We therefore adapted the Body Experience Questionnaire (BEQ) to this group, resulting in the BEQ-mb, and evaluated its usability, comprehensibility, and reliability. Method The BEQ-mb was developed in five stages: concept development, focus group, verbal reports, pilot testing, and evaluation. Results The BEQ-mb is applicable in, and comprehensible by, adults with MID-BIF. Internal consistency is good for the total scale and the body awareness and body satisfaction subscales, but low for the body attitude subscale. Test–retest reliability is excellent for the total scale and the subscales. Conclusion The BEQ-mb unlocks new opportunities for clinical examination and research on body experience. Future research is needed to investigate its structural validity.