Validation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale in a Sample of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults

Abstract

The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) is a leading assessment of interoception. We examined the factor structure and psychometric characteristics of the MAIA-2 and its associations with psychopathology in a sample of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adults. Participants (N = 301) were recruited via Prolific Academic. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the MAIA-2 subscales, disordered eating, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. The eight-factor MAIA-2 demonstrated good model fit after removing Item 2. The MAIA-2 subscales were significantly positively associated with body appreciation and body satisfaction and negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The MAIA-2 subscales also demonstrated several significant associations with disordered eating. Only Body Trust was significantly negatively associated with participants' perceived likelihood of making a future suicide attempt. This study provided preliminary evidence that the MAIA-2 is an adequate measure of interception in TGD samples.

Keywords

transgender adults gender diverse adults interoception eating disorders suicidal thoughts and behaviors non-suicidal self-injury

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