Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service users.
Klara Forsberg, Daniel Sutton, Sigrid Stjernswärd and 3 others
PMID 39835693WHAT IT FOUND
In 97 mental health service users, lower occupational engagement was linked to higher sensory sensitivity, low registration, and sensation avoiding.
Higher engagement was linked to sensation seeking. Avoidant coping was associated with sensation seeking, and emotion-focused coping with low registration.
Key findings
01Low levels of occupational engagement were related to high levels of low registration, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding.
02High levels of occupational engagement were related to high levels of sensation-seeking.
03High levels of avoidant coping were related to high levels of sensation-seeking, while high levels of emotion-focused coping were related to high levels of low registration.
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 relatively small (97 participants). Diagnoses were self-reported, which may affect validity. There was a lack of gender diversity, with 73% women and only 24% men. The study used self-reported questionnaires for sensory processing, coping, and engagement, which may be subject to bias. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, only associations. Non-binary participants (3%) were excluded from the primary regression models due to small numbers.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd).
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that sensory processing patterns are fixed traits that cause poor engagement. This study shows an association, but the direction of influence is unclear. The authors suggest a potential bidirectional relationship, meaning that improving engagement might also improve sensory processing, not just the other way around. Also, do not generalize these findings to all mental health populations, as the sample was specifically selected for severe mental health problems and anxiety.