(PS2-17) Network Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Dimensions of Interoception and Their Links to Physical and Mental Health

Abstract Text:

Background: Interoception is an umbrella term referring to the sense of one’s internal bodily states, encompassing comprehensive processes across bodily systems, also involving cognitive processes. Consistent with major psychological theories like constructed emotion (Barrett & Simmons, 2015), research has identified complex interplays between bodily signals, negative emotions, and maladaptive cognitive processes such as prior beliefs, attentional tendencies, and interpretations. However, few studies have examined how these interact to influence physical and mental health indices or their replicability beyond psychopathological contexts. Thus, we aimed to use network analysis to identify unique and proximal connections among: (1) 8 self-reported dimensions of interoception (MAIA-II), (2) measures of psychological distress (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PHQ-15), (3) measures of wellbeing (vitality - VDLS, quality of life - QoLS), and (4) measures of physical health (# of colds, days missed work, doctor visits). By identifying chains of proximal links between pairs of variables, the network analyses identified potential mechanistic pathways and highlighted more centralized variables as possible intervention targets.

Methods: In a large online community sample (N = 1911; 84% White, 76% female; M age = 47), we employed network analyses to examine the unique proximal associations linking interoception to physical and emotional functioning.

Results: Model invariance analyses using the Network Comparison Test suggested that our network results were stable across age, gender, sexual orientation, race, education, and income groups. Strong positive links emerged within MAIA subscales, but each showed distinct connections with health indices. Not-Worrying (the ability to experience body discomfort without worrying) and Not-Distracting (experiencing discomfort without distracting oneself) displayed robust proximal links to lower generalized anxiety and lower somatic anxiety symptoms respectively, which were in turn linked to lower depressive symptoms. Interoceptive Trust (trusting in one’s own body) displayed a robust proximal link to higher quality of life, which was in turn proximally linked to greater vitality. In fact, those three aspects of interoception effectively served as bridges linking other forms of interoception to individual functioning. The physical symptoms associated with the assessment of somatic anxiety served as the primary bridge between the physical health indices (e.g., days missed work, doctor visits) and the rest of the network.

Conclusions: This study provides insights into the network structure of cognitive and behavioral interoceptive processes and their unique associations with physical and mental health, offering potential mechanistic pathways and intervention targets.