Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – Version 2 (MAIA-2)

The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – Version 2 (MAIA-2) is a psychological self-report instrument designed to assess interoceptive awareness, which refers to the ability to notice, interpret, and relate to internal bodily sensations.

The MAIA-2 evaluates multiple dimensions of body awareness, including attention to bodily sensations, emotional-body connection, self-regulation through bodily awareness, trust in bodily signals, and the ability to sustain attention toward internal physical experiences.

Interoception plays an important role in emotional regulation, stress management, mindfulness, trauma recovery, physical health awareness, and psychological well-being. Research suggests that healthy interoceptive awareness is associated with emotional resilience, self-understanding, adaptive coping, and improved mind-body integration.

The MAIA-2 is widely used in mindfulness research, somatic psychology, trauma-informed care, meditation studies, behavioral medicine, and clinical psychology.

The scale measures several dimensions of interoceptive awareness, including:
- Noticing
- Not-Distracting
- Not-Worrying
- Attention Regulation
- Emotional Awareness
- Self-Regulation
- Body Listening
- Trusting

The MAIA-2 is intended as a self-awareness and research instrument and is not designed to provide medical or psychiatric diagnosis.

You will be presented with a series of statements related to bodily sensations, awareness, emotional experiences, attention, and physical self-awareness. Please respond honestly based on your typical experiences.

This assessment is intended for adults and adolescents interested in mindfulness, emotional awareness, body awareness, somatic experiences, stress regulation, and psychological self-understanding. Participation is voluntary and responses should reflect genuine experiences.

Each item is scored using a 6-point Likert scale:

0 = Never
1 = Very Rarely
2 = Rarely
3 = Occasionally
4 = Very Frequently
5 = Always

Higher scores may indicate stronger interoceptive awareness, body trust, emotional-body connection, and attentional awareness toward bodily experiences.

Some items are reverse scored to improve scoring balance and interpretive accuracy.

The final report provides a percentage-based overview of interoceptive awareness patterns and mind-body awareness tendencies.

v1.0 – Initial MAIA-2 module release.
v1.1 – Added multidimensional interoceptive scoring system.
v1.2 – Improved reverse-scoring support.
v1.3 – Enhanced emotional awareness interpretation framework.
v1.4 – Added responsive layout and accessibility improvements.

When I am tense I notice where the tension is located in my body.

I notice when I am uncomfortable in my body.

I notice where in my body I am comfortable.

I notice changes in my breathing, such as whether it slows down or speeds up.

I ignore physical tension or discomfort until they become more severe.

I distract myself from sensations of discomfort.

When I feel pain or discomfort, I try to power through it.

I try to ignore pain.

I push feelings of discomfort away by focusing on something.

When I feel unpleasant body sensations, I occupy myself with something else so I don’t have to feel them.

When I feel physical pain, I become upset.

I start to worry that something is wrong if I feel any discomfort.

I can notice an unpleasant body sensation without worrying about it.

I can stay calm and not worry when I have feelings of discomfort or pain.

When I am in discomfort or pain I can’t get it out of my mind.

I can pay attention to my breath without being distracted by things happening around me.

I can maintain awareness of my inner bodily sensations even when there is a lot going on around me.

When I am in conversation with someone, I can pay attention to my posture.

I can return awareness to my body if I am distracted.

I can refocus my attention from thinking to sensing my body.

I can maintain awareness of my whole body even when a part of me is in pain or discomfort.

I am able to consciously focus on my body as a whole.

I notice how my body changes when I am angry.

When something is wrong in my life I can feel it in my body.

I notice that my body feels different after a peaceful experience.

I notice that my breathing becomes free and easy when I feel comfortable.

I notice how my body changes when I feel happy or joyful.

When I feel overwhelmed I can find a calm place inside.

When I bring awareness to my body I feel a sense of calm.

I can use my breath to reduce tension.

When I am caught up in thoughts, I can calm my mind by focusing on my body or breathing.

I listen for information from my body about my emotional state.

When I am upset, I take time to explore how my body feels.

I listen to my body to inform me about what to do.

I am at home in my body.

I feel my body is a safe place.

I trust my body sensations.