Abstract Social network changes may occur during disruptive events (e.g., COVID-19), especially with immigrants who need to rebuild networks, undermining their mental health. Study 1 (N =18) investigates immigrants' perceived changes before and during the pandemic in their networks, mental health, social support and social capital. Study 2 (N =53) examines the same in a sample of non-migrants. Convenience samples were collected online between July and November 2020, addressing participants' perceived health networks and mental health through name generators (alters’ names), name interpreters (attributes), position generator (social capital), and the Mental Health Inventory-5. E-net software assessed the network's efficiency and homophily. Study 1 results revealed immigrants reduced their mental health, and network changes by decreasing social support, efficiency and social capital. In study 2, non-migrant network changes were small, not compromising their efficiency and social capital. Contributions suggest the importance of health crisis management with actions to support migrant social networks.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS), nomeadamente sua estrutura fatorial e invariância, fidelidade e validade quando aplicada a adultos de uma amostra comunitária. Métodos Participaram 810 heterossexuais portugueses envolvidos numa relação de compromisso. Uma vez que a análise fatorial confirmatória não apoiou a estrutura original da escala, conduziu-se uma análise exploratória. Resultados Extraiu-se uma versão da escala com 12 itens, que integra duas dimensões: uma pessoal e outra social. O modelo fatorial composto por esta estrutura bidimensional revelou um ajustamento adequado aos dados, após a análise fatorial confirmatória. A análise confirmatória multigrupos indicou invariância entre os gêneros. A validade concorrente e discriminante e a consistência interna foram estimadas e apresentaram valores adequados. Conclusões A versão final, com 12 itens, da BAAS avalia com acuidade as crenças acerca da aparência corporal e pode ser utilizada em diferentes contextos de investigação.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. Methods Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. Results A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. Conclusions This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.