Psychometric network analysis of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, version 2 (MAIA-2) in Peruvian adults

Interoception is a complex, multidimensional construct that refers to the nervous system's processing of internal bodily signals. Currently, there are no comprehensive measurement tools available to capture the full complexity of interoception. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2), is a widely accepted and utilized interoceptive questionnaire that measures the multiple dimensions of conscious interoception through self-report. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the validity of a new Spanish translation of the MAIA-2 in Peruvian adults and to examine the dimensionality of the MAIA-2. A total of 414 Peruvian participants residing in Lima (Peru) were included; 85% were young adults between 18 and 27 years. The fit of the structural equation model (SEM) was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The dimensionality of the MAIA-2 was assessed using bootstrap exploratory bootstrap graph analysis (bootEGA). The results of the CFA suggest an oblique model (8 factors, 34 items) with modifications (items 11, 12, and 15 deleted). The bootEGA analyses indicate that a five-dimensional model is more parsimonious. These findings suggest that the MAIA-2 may have fewer dimensions than the original eight-dimensional theoretical model. The Peruvian Spanish version of the MAIA-2 proves to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing interoception in Peruvian adults, though slight variations in the dimensional structure were observed compared to the original model. This provides a solid basis for future research and clinical applications in Spanish-speaking contexts.