BMC psychology · 2026
The role of interoception in alexithymia: a multidimensional analysis.
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Li Wenjing, Ji Lulu, Liu Yuan, Li Ling
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Alexithymia, a personality construct characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing emotions, is closely linked to interoception—the ability to perceive one’s physiological state. However, existing research on alexithymia and interoception has not fully considered the multidimensional nature of interoceptive processes, particularly the distinct roles of subjective interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity.
METHODS: This study measured subjective interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity separately using a well-validated self-report scale. Data were collected from two cohorts, each consisting of 179 participants, with an overlapping subset of 79 participants (44% of each cohort), resulting in a total of 279 unique participants. Psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairments, and substance abuse were rigorously controlled. We then investigated the distinct impacts of interoceptive sensitivity and accuracy on alexithymia using mixed-effects models to account for the overlapping participants.
RESULTS: The findings indicate that subjective interoceptive accuracy negatively correlated with alexithymia (β = -0.205, p < 0.0125), particularly on the externally-oriented thinking (β = -0.342, p < 0.0025). Similarly, interoceptive sensitivity also negatively correlated with the externally-oriented thinking (β = -0.225, p < 0.0025), suggesting that individuals with diminished interoception exhibit higher levels of alexithymia.
CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the crucial role of subjective interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity in alexithymia and mental health. Specifically, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing interoceptive abilities could potentially alleviate alexithymia symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-026-04598-z.
METHODS: This study measured subjective interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity separately using a well-validated self-report scale. Data were collected from two cohorts, each consisting of 179 participants, with an overlapping subset of 79 participants (44% of each cohort), resulting in a total of 279 unique participants. Psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairments, and substance abuse were rigorously controlled. We then investigated the distinct impacts of interoceptive sensitivity and accuracy on alexithymia using mixed-effects models to account for the overlapping participants.
RESULTS: The findings indicate that subjective interoceptive accuracy negatively correlated with alexithymia (β = -0.205, p < 0.0125), particularly on the externally-oriented thinking (β = -0.342, p < 0.0025). Similarly, interoceptive sensitivity also negatively correlated with the externally-oriented thinking (β = -0.225, p < 0.0025), suggesting that individuals with diminished interoception exhibit higher levels of alexithymia.
CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the crucial role of subjective interoceptive accuracy and sensitivity in alexithymia and mental health. Specifically, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing interoceptive abilities could potentially alleviate alexithymia symptoms and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-026-04598-z.