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Sensory modulation difficulties and complex PTSD among child abuse survivors
Nitzan Avigail Kidra1, Lee Gafter2,3, Tami Bar-Shalita1
1Department of Occupational Therapy, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
|June 11, 2025
Summary
Child abuse survivors often experience sensory over-responsiveness (SOR), which is linked to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). This sensory dysfunction significantly increases the likelihood of these trauma-related diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Child abuse (CA) has lasting effects, including trauma disorders like PTSD and CPTSD.
- CA is linked to sensory modulation dysfunction, impacting posttraumatic distress.
- Prior research focused on PTSD and sensory modulation, neglecting CPTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine sensory modulation patterns in relation to CA history.
- Investigate links between sensory modulation, PTSD, and disturbances in self-organization (DSO).
- Determine the role of sensory modulation in PTSD and CPTSD diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Online survey of 426 Israeli adult females (288 CA survivors, 138 controls).
- Assessed background variables, abuse characteristics, sensory modulation, PTSD, and CPTSD symptoms via self-report.
- Convenience sampling methodology.
Main Results:
- CA survivors showed higher sensory responsiveness and sensory over-responsiveness (SOR) than controls.
- High sensory responsiveness correlated with PTSD and DSO symptoms (r > 0.15, p < .01).
- SOR significantly predicted PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis (β^ = 0.96, OR = 2.6, p < .001).
Conclusions:
- High sensory responsiveness is associated with PTSD and enduring effects of CA, as seen in CPTSD.
- Sensory modulation dysfunction is a key factor in trauma-related disorders following child abuse.
- Findings highlight the importance of assessing sensory processing in trauma survivors.
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