Exploring the Dimensional Structure of Subjective Interoception and the Differential Impact of Abuse and Neglect

Background: Subjective interoception plays a critical role in emotional well-being, but its constituents have rarely been examined. Additionally, little attention has been paid to how abuse and neglect, as two distinct yet often co-occurring dimensions of child maltreatment, may differentially impact subjective interoception.Objective: The present study aimed to examine the dimensional structure of subjective interoception, and how its different dimensions are associated with internalizing psychopathology and are differentially influenced by abuse and neglect.Participants and Setting: Participants (N = 391; Mage = 19.29 years; female: 67.5%; Hispanic: 57.3%) were recruited in 2021-2022 as part of a larger study.Methods: Exploratory graph and confirmatory factor analyses were used to establish the dimensional structure of subjective interoception, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between different dimensions of subjective interoception, abuse and neglect, as well as internalizing psychopathology.Results: The results suggested that subjective interoception was comprised of two dimensions: proactive and reactive interoception. Whereas abuse was positively associated with reactive interoception only, neglect was negatively associated with both proactive and reactive interoception. Proactive, but not reactive, interoception was negatively associated with internalizing psychopathology.Conclusions: The findings provide compelling evidence for the differential impact of abuse and neglect on different facets of subjective interoception, highlighting the significance of considering abuse and neglect as two distinct experiential elements. The results also inspire the idea that emotion-body connection should be considered in future emotional development research.