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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
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The relationship between self-reported interoception and depression: A systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis
Paul M Jenkinson1, Rodolfo Leuzzi2, Charlotte E Dean3
1Faculty of Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Depression is reliably linked to self-reported interoceptive dysfunction. Specific capacities like trusting bodily signals and self-regulation are promising targets for depression interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Mental Health
Background:
- Interoceptive dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a potential mechanism in depression.
- While physiological measures of interoception show inconsistent links to depression, self-report measures may offer greater insight.
- This is the first meta-analysis to synthesize evidence on self-reported interoception and depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically synthesize evidence on the association between self-reported interoception and depression.
- To investigate the impact of different measures and study designs on this association.
- To identify specific interoceptive capacities relevant to depression.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- A three-level meta-analysis included 49 studies (N=21,755), focusing primarily on the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA).
- Moderator analyses examined study design, depression/interoception measures, participant age, sex, and publication year.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between self-reported interoception and depression, particularly when using the MAIA.
- The strength of this association was moderated by the depression measure used and, for the MAIA, by study design (between-group vs. within-group).
- Participant age, sex, and publication year did not significantly moderate the observed associations.
Conclusions:
- Depression is consistently linked to self-reported interoceptive dysfunction, especially in evaluating and regulating bodily states.
- Interoception is a multidimensional construct, with capacities like trust in bodily signals, self-regulation, and reduced worry being key.
- These findings highlight specific interoceptive capacities as potential targets for psychological interventions to alleviate depression.
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