Reliability and validity of the Dutch interoceptive accuracy scale and interoceptive attention scale

Abstract

Interoception, the perception of internal bodily signals, plays a key role in health behavior. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Dutch Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS-D) and Interoceptive Attention Scale (IATS-D) in 779 Dutch participants (mean age 52.98 +/- 16.47, 49.6% female). Both questionnaires showed good to excellent internal consistency (IAS-D alpha = 0.895, omega = 0.989; IATS-D alpha = 0.940, omega = 0.980). The IAS-D was negatively associated with the Interoceptive Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ; beta = -0.638), depression (beta = -0.298), and alexithymia (beta = 0.528), all p < 0.001. The IATS-D was positively associated with the ICQ (beta = 0.481), Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ; beta = 0.207), depression (beta = 0.377), and alexithymia (beta = 0.528), all p < 0.001. The IAS-D and IATS-D are reliable and valid instruments for assessing self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention in Dutch-speaking samples, supporting interoceptive and health behavior research.