Interoceptive awareness test (MAIA-2)

The MAIA-2 (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, version 2) is a 37-item questionnaire about how you notice and relate to signals from inside your body: breathing, heartbeat, tension, hunger, tiredness. It looks at eight facets, from noticing and attention regulation to trusting your body, and each facet is scored as an average from 0 to 5.

There are no good or bad scores here. Many neurodivergent people sense body signals more strongly, more faintly or with a delay, and that shapes emotions, energy and decisions. The profile shows where your body is already a resource for you and where some support could help.

37 items, about 8 minutes, a profile across 8 facets
Mehling et al., 2018 (Osher Center, UCSF); free to use with citation
Anonymous, nothing to sign up for
A reflection tool, not a diagnosis

Mehling, Acree, Stewart, Silas & Jones, 2018

MAIA-2

A 37-item assessment tool measuring eight distinct dimensions of awareness and individual connection to bodily signals.

"What does this mean?" if a question is not clear, tap this under the question for a plain explanation.

"Not sure about my answer" if your answer is only an approximation, mark it. It does not change the score; it just shows where it may help to come back to it.

37 items, about 8 minutes

Computed on your device, your data stays with you

0 / 370%

Keys 1-6 for quick answer

Indicate how often each statement applies to you generally in daily life.

Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2): Mehling WE, Acree M, Stewart A, Silas J, Jones A (2018), PLoS ONE 13(12): e0208034. Free to use without written permission (Osher Center for Integrative Health, UCSF). A reflection tool, not a diagnosis.

Noticing

Question 1 of 37. When I am tense I notice where the tension is located in my body

NeverAlways

Question 2 of 37. I notice when I am uncomfortable in my body

NeverAlways

Question 3 of 37. I notice where in my body I am comfortable

NeverAlways

Question 4 of 37. I notice changes in my breathing, such as whether it slows down or speeds up

NeverAlways

Not-Distracting

Question 5 of 37. I ignore physical tension or discomfort until they become more severe

NeverAlways

Question 6 of 37. I distract myself from sensations of discomfort

NeverAlways

Question 7 of 37. When I feel pain or discomfort, I try to power through it

NeverAlways

Question 8 of 37. I try to ignore pain

NeverAlways

Question 9 of 37. I push feelings of discomfort away by focusing on something

NeverAlways

Question 10 of 37. When I feel unpleasant body sensations, I occupy myself with something else so I don't have to feel them

NeverAlways

Not-Worrying

Question 11 of 37. When I feel physical pain, I become upset

NeverAlways

Question 12 of 37. I start to worry that something is wrong if I feel any discomfort

NeverAlways

Question 13 of 37. I can notice an unpleasant body sensation without worrying about it

NeverAlways

Question 14 of 37. I can stay calm and not worry when I have feelings of discomfort or pain

NeverAlways

Question 15 of 37. When I am in discomfort or pain I can't get it out of my mind

NeverAlways

Attention Regulation

Question 16 of 37. I can pay attention to my breath without being distracted by things happening around me

NeverAlways

Question 17 of 37. I can maintain awareness of my inner bodily sensations even when there is a lot going on around me

NeverAlways

Question 18 of 37. When I am in conversation with someone, I can pay attention to my posture

NeverAlways

Question 19 of 37. I can return awareness to my body if I am distracted

NeverAlways

Question 20 of 37. I can refocus my attention from thinking to sensing my body

NeverAlways

Question 21 of 37. I can maintain awareness of my whole body even when a part of me is in pain or discomfort

NeverAlways

Question 22 of 37. I am able to consciously focus on my body as a whole

NeverAlways

Emotional Awareness

Question 23 of 37. I notice how my body changes when I am angry

NeverAlways

Question 24 of 37. When something is wrong in my life I can feel it in my body

NeverAlways

Question 25 of 37. I notice that my body feels different after a peaceful experience

NeverAlways

Question 26 of 37. I notice that my breathing becomes free and easy when I feel comfortable

NeverAlways

Question 27 of 37. I notice how my body changes when I feel happy / joyful

NeverAlways

Self-Regulation

Question 28 of 37. When I feel overwhelmed I can find a calm place inside

NeverAlways

Question 29 of 37. When I bring awareness to my body I feel a sense of calm

NeverAlways

Question 30 of 37. I can use my breath to reduce tension

NeverAlways

Question 31 of 37. When I am caught up in thoughts, I can calm my mind by focusing on my body/breathing

NeverAlways

Body Listening

Question 32 of 37. I listen for information from my body about my emotional state

NeverAlways

Question 33 of 37. When I am upset, I take time to explore how my body feels

NeverAlways

Question 34 of 37. I listen to my body to inform me about what to do

NeverAlways

Trusting

Question 35 of 37. I am at home in my body

NeverAlways

Question 36 of 37. I feel my body is a safe place

NeverAlways

Question 37 of 37. I trust my body sensations

NeverAlways

0/37 answered, 0%