Investigating the Impact of Interoceptive Awareness on Anxiety Traits and Symptoms - Report - MDSpire

Investigating the Impact of Interoceptive Awareness on Anxiety Traits and Symptoms

  • By

  • Snell, Lucy

  • Reynolds, Steven

  • Garner, Matthew

  • Pfeifer, Gaby

  • Morriss, Jayne

  • April 8, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

Clinical Report: Investigating the Impact of Interoceptive Awareness on Anxiety Traits

Overview

Revise to specify the nature of the relationship between interoceptive awareness and anxiety traits.

Background

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and significantly impair psychosocial functioning. Understanding the mechanisms linking interoception and anxiety can inform treatment approaches. This study contributes to the understanding of how interoceptive awareness may influence anxiety traits and symptoms.

Data Highlights

Revise to indicate that the lack of numerical data may limit the study's comprehensiveness.

Key Findings

  • Anxiety-related traits are significantly associated with self-reported interoceptive difficulties.
  • Negative correlations were found between intolerance of uncertainty and interoceptive insight and bodily trust.
  • Anxiety symptom severity linked to increased attention to bodily signals and reduced bodily trust.
  • No significant relationships observed between heartbeat perception task measures and anxiety-related traits.
  • Interoceptive beliefs and attentional processes are more closely related to anxious traits than interoceptive accuracy.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the role of interoceptive beliefs and attentional processes when assessing and treating anxiety. Focusing on subjective interpretations of bodily signals may enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of interoceptive beliefs in understanding anxiety traits, suggesting a need for further investigation in clinical settings.

References

  1. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Digital positive affect intervention (PAI) versus self-monitoring placebo in the treatment of anxiety and depression: a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT)
  2. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Cross-cultural validation of the Chinese version of Disorder-Specific Intolerance of Uncertainty (DSIU): psychometric properties in female college students with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  3. BMC Psychiatry (Springer), 2025 -- Impact of anxiety, depression and online mindfulness on IBD patients’ quality of life: a web-based cross-sectional survey and randomized pilot study
  4. Frontiers | Psychosocial interventions for anxiety disorders in adults: evidence mapping and guideline appraisal
  5. Annual Reviews, 2024 -- Interoceptive Mechanisms and Emotional Processing
  6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — The dynamic interplay between anxiety-related, psychotic, and suicidal experiences: a qualitative study
  7. Frontiers | Psychosocial interventions for anxiety disorders in adults: evidence mapping and guideline appraisal
  8. Interoceptive Mechanisms and Emotional Processing | Annual Reviews
  9. A meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness meditation training on self-reported interoception | Scientific Reports

Original Source(s)

Investigating the Impact of Interoceptive Awareness on Anxiety Traits and Symptoms

  • by Snell, Lucy , Reynolds, Steven , Garner, Matthew , Pfeifer, Gaby , Morriss, Jayne

  • April 8, 2026

Related Content

Construct a digital psychological intervention program for organ donor families: An Intervention mapping study

Physicians Exiting Practice Earlier

Researchers identify burnout-associated workplace pressures and caregiving responsibilities as major contributors to physician attrition.

The Mental Health Gap Doctors Don’t Close

National survey data also suggested lower treatment rates among health care workers with either condition.