Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service users
Forsberg, Klara LU ; Sutton, Daniel LU ; Stjernswärd, Sigrid LU
; Brown, Catana
; Bejerholm, Ulrika
LU
and Argentzell, Elisabeth
LU
(2025)
In Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
72(1).
- 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... (More)
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.
(Less)
- author
- Forsberg, Klara
LU
; Sutton, Daniel
LU
; Stjernswärd, Sigrid
LU
; Brown, Catana
; Bejerholm, Ulrika
LU
and Argentzell, Elisabeth
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-02
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Humans, Adaptation, Psychological, Male, Female, Cross-Sectional Studies, Adult, Occupational Therapy/methods, Mental Disorders/rehabilitation, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Adolescent, Young Adult, Work Engagement
- in
- Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
- volume
- 72
- issue
- 1
- article number
- e13016
- publisher
- Australian Association of occupational therapists
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:39835693
- scopus:85215376638
- ISSN
- 1440-1630
- DOI
- 10.1111/1440-1630.13016
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- © 2025 The Author(s). Australian Occupational Therapy Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Occupational Therapy Australia.
- id
- d0485628-b526-4a25-9a29-23301666b65d
- date added to LUP
- 2025-01-24 09:46:23
- date last changed
- 2025-03-08 06:46:08
@article{d0485628-b526-4a25-9a29-23301666b65d,
abstract = {{<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: This study sits within an RCT project where parts were designed collaboratively with research-educated service users.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>}},
author = {{Forsberg, Klara and Sutton, Daniel and Stjernswärd, Sigrid and Brown, Catana and Bejerholm, Ulrika and Argentzell, Elisabeth}},
issn = {{1440-1630}},
keywords = {{Humans; Adaptation, Psychological; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Occupational Therapy/methods; Mental Disorders/rehabilitation; Mental Health Services; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Work Engagement}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Australian Association of occupational therapists}},
series = {{Australian Occupational Therapy Journal}},
title = {{Sensory processing patterns and their relationships to coping and occupational engagement in mental health service users}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.13016}},
doi = {{10.1111/1440-1630.13016}},
volume = {{72}},
year = {{2025}},
}