Interoception in Adolescence: Impacts on Mental Health and Adaptive Functioning.

Interoception plays a critical role in emotion regulation and mental health during adolescence, a critical period marked by profound biological, cognitive, and emotional changes. Variability in interoceptive processing during adolescence is shaped by biological, hormonal, and psychosocial factors, with implications for both resilience and vulnerability to affective disorders such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and substance use. This chapter reviews the trajectory of interoceptive development in adolescence, emphasizing its role in shaping emotional and behavioral outcomes. Interventions aimed at improving interoceptive awareness, including mindfulness practices and body-awareness training, are also reviewed as promising strategies to support emotional resilience and mental well-being during this formative stage. Understanding the complexities of interoception in adolescence provides a foundation for advancing research and interventions that promote adaptive functioning and long-term mental health.