Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service

Klara Forsberg^1,2, Daniel Sutton³, Sigrid Stjernswärd¹

¹Department of Health Sciences, Mental Health, Activity and Participation (MAP), Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

|January 21, 2025

Abstract

Introduction:

Mental health service users often have sensory processing difficulties hampering their ability to cope with mental health problems and occupational engagement. However, there is little knowledge of sensory processing and its relation to these factors. Hence, this current study aims to investigate sensory processing patterns in relation to coping and occupational engagement for the target group.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study involved 97 mental health service users. Sociodemographic information and self-rated questionnaires were administered; Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory scale (short version) (Brief-COPE), and Profiles of Occupational Engagement among people with Severe mental illness (POES). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models.

Consumer And Community Involvement:

This study sits within an RCT project where parts were designed collaboratively with research-educated service users.

Results:

The result showed strong relationships between sensory processing patterns and occupational engagement. Low levels of occupational engagement were related to high levels of sensory sensitivity, sensation avoiding, and low registration. Whereas, high levels of occupational engagement were related to high levels of sensation-seeking. Concerning coping styles, high levels of emotion-focused coping were related to high levels of low registration, while high levels of avoidant coping styles were related to high levels of sensation-seeking.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate that occupational engagement and coping styles are related to outcomes of the sensory profile and thus affect how a person with severe mental health problems interprets and reacts to sensory stimuli in daily life.

Keywords:

mental illness occupational therapy sensory modulation sensory profiles

More Related Videos

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Published on: September 27, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Parallel Processing

Parallel Processing

The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed...

Coping Strategies: Problem Focused

Coping Strategies: Problem Focused

Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the...

Perception

Perception

Perception is a fundamental psychological process that enables individuals to organize, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information. This process is crucial for understanding and interacting with the world around us. It includes both bottom-up and top-down processing, each playing a distinct role in how we perceive our environment.
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Understanding Factors That Influence the Recruitment and Retention of Male Occupational Therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Occupational therapy international·2026

A Web-Based Self-Management Intervention for Return-to-Work Among Persons With Common Mental Disorders on Sick Leave: Case Study of mWorks.

JMIR formative research·2026

Tensions as productive forces in coproduced mental health research: an explorative qualitative study.

Research involvement and engagement·2026

Building Care in the Heart of the Moment - Exploring the Process of Collaboration for the Making of Flexible Assertive Community Treatment.

International journal of integrated care·2026

Critical Components for Participation and Personal Recovery in the Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Model: A Case Study of the Delivery Process.

International journal of integrated care·2026

Turning to Service Users for the Understanding of Current and Future Mental Health Services in the Development Process of Research and Practice: A Qualitative Study.

Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy·2026

See all related articles