Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire

What it measures

Measures multiple dimensions of interoceptive body awareness — the ability to notice, attend to, and interpret internal body signals with awareness and without distress. Grounded in an updated non-pathological model of interoception relevant to mindfulness, somatic therapies, and emotion regulation. Known as the MAIA.

Response format

Likert (0–5, never to always)

Representative items

• I notice when I am uncomfortable in my body. (Noticing)
• When I feel pain or discomfort, I try to push it out of my awareness. (R, Not-Distracting)
• I can notice an unpleasant body sensation without worrying about it. (Not-Worrying)
• I can focus my attention to sensations in different parts of my body. (Attention Regulation)
• I notice how my body changes when I am angry. (Emotional Awareness)

Usage notes & scoring

(R)=reverse-scored. Eight subscale scores; no overall total recommended — subscales have different implications. Freely available (MAIA). MAIA-2 is the current updated version. Widely used in research on mindfulness, somatic therapies, eating disorders, chronic pain, and trauma.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Mehling, W.E., Price, C., Daubenmier, J.J., Acree, M., Bartmess, E., & Stewart, A. (2012). The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). PLOS ONE, 7(11), e39801.

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