Sensory processing, participation, and recovery in adults with serious mental illnesses

People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) have different sensory processing patterns compared to the general population. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between different sensory processing patterns and community participation and recovery-oriented outcomes to inform the development of innovative rehabilitation interventions, including those resulting in more accommodating environments.

A quasi-experimental, comparative research design was conducted by using data obtained from 95 adults with SMI who received public mental health services. Participants completed a sensory processing profile and measures of community participation, recovery, and quality of life. Comparisons were made between sensory profile categories for each dependent variable using multivariate analyses of variance.

The category with more evidence of self-reported low registration and sensory sensitivity than most reported less participation and lower levels of recovery than did their peers with processing patterns in typical ranges. The category with more self-reported sensory sensitivity than most reported lower quality of life. Finally, the category in the "similar" to "more than most" range on self-reported sensory seeking had higher levels of participation and recovery.

Assessment of sensory processing patterns in adults with SMI can inform sensory-based interventions that might result in greater community participation and other recovery outcomes. Interventions can include those that seek to enhance person-environment fit by altering the environment, as well as interventions that enhance adaptive sensory responses to external stimuli.