Convergent validity of two adult self-report sensory scales: Comparing the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form.
Daniela Skocic, Ted Brown, Mong-Lin Yu and 1 others
PMID 38738292WHAT IT FOUND
In 42 Australian adults, scores on the newer Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form correlated with the established Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile.
This supports using either scale for adult sensory assessment, depending on whether you need system-specific details or sensation-seeking scores.
Key findings
01The study found statistically significant correlations ranging from 0.342 to 0.790 between the subscales of the two sensory measures.
02The SPM-2-Adult Sensory Total score showed strong positive correlations with the A/ASP Low Registration and Sensory Sensitivity quadrants, and a moderate positive correlation with Sensation Avoiding.
03The authors recommend selecting between the two assessments based on client needs, noting the SPM-2-Adult identifies specific sensory systems while the A/ASP better evaluates sensation-seeking behaviours.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (42 participants), limiting the generalisability of the findings. Participants were aged 18 to 30, which does not represent the full adult age range for which these assessments are validated. The sample was disproportionately female (71.4%), which may skew gender comparison results. There is no external research comparing these two specific adult forms, so this is a preliminary psychometric study. The study did not include diagnostic groups such as autism or ADHD, where sensory processing difficulties are most prevalent. Order bias in completing the two surveys could not be fully ruled out, particularly as the hard-copy and online groups completed the assessments in different orders.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these scales are interchangeable for all purposes. The study showed weak or non-significant correlations between the SPM-2-Adult subscales and the A/ASP Sensation Seeking quadrant, meaning the SPM-2-Adult may not accurately capture sensation-seeking behaviours in the same way the A/ASP does.