Further validation of the Japanese version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness

OBJECTIVE: The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) is a validated measure to assess interoceptive awareness. Although an earlier study evaluated the Japanese version of the MAIA, it did not examine the measure’s test–retest reliability and the data fit of the factor structure. This study aims to further validate the Japanese version of the MAIA. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, 268 Japanese individuals participated. They completed the Japanese version of the MAIA and concurrent validity measures. The test–retest reliability of the Japanese version’s subscales ranged from adequate to high (intra-class coefficients = 0.76–0.85). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the Japanese six-factor structure had a good fit in Japanese. The MAIA subscales were moderately associated with scores on the Body Awareness Scale (rho = 0.25–0.49). The results indicated high test–retest reliability and further confirmed the validity of the six-factor structure of the Japanese version of the MAIA. Hence, the Japanese version of the MAIA is a useful measure to assess interoceptive awareness in the Japanese population. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4556-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.