A meta-analytic review of child maltreatment and interoception

Abstract

Interoception—the ability to sense internal bodily signals such as heartbeat or breathing—plays a central role in both mental and physical health. Disruptions in interoception are increasingly recognized as important contributors to various psychological and medical conditions, yet the origins remain unclear. One possible risk factor is exposure to childhood maltreatment. Here we present a meta-analytic review examining the association between child maltreatment and different aspects of interoception. In this Analysis, we use meta-analytic methods to examine the relationship between childhood maltreatment and interoception across 17 studies. We found no consistent association between childhood maltreatment and interoceptive accuracy, sensibility, or awareness. However, a history of childhood maltreatment—particularly emotional maltreatment—was associated with lower body trust, a dimension of interoception reflecting confidence in bodily signals. These findings suggest that early adverse experiences may undermine the foundational sense of trust in one’s body, with potential long-term consequences for mental and physical health. Interoception, the perception of internal bodily signals, is crucial for mental and physical well-being, yet the origins of disruptions in interoception are not well understood. Here the authors conduct a meta-analysis of 17 studies, revealing that childhood maltreatment, particularly emotional maltreatment, is linked to reduced body trust, potentially impacting long-term health outcomes.