``I wish that I were more muscular'': A psychometric analysis of the German version of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS)

Abstract

The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) is a widely used self-rating questionnaire for the assessment of the drive to gain muscle and weight The purpose of the present study is to examine the psychometric properties of a German-language version of the DMS. We assessed 601 men who work out with weights with a computer-based or paper-pencil version of the DMS and additional scales. The DMS yielded high coefficients of internal consistency and retest reliability (>.88), as well as a high convergent validity (Male Body Attitudes Scale:.81). Drive for muscularity was only weakly correlated with drive for thinness (Eating Disorder Inventory-2-DT:.11). Results from factor analyses support the distinction of a muscularity-oriented body image and a correlated muscularity behavior subscale. We found correlations of the DMS with body esteem and dysmorphic concerns. The German-language DMS was shown to be a reliable and valid questionnaire for research and clinical single-case applications.