Abstract
This scoping review examined research on the association between sensory processing and internalizing behavior among individuals ages 1-22 years. Findings suggest that sensory processing sensitivity was positively associated with various conditions, personality characteristics, aspects of family life, anxiety, and mental health difficulties. Findings from this scoping review may inform intervention approaches that target the sensory processing underpinnings of internalizing behaviors.
Primary Author and Speaker: Kasey Kotsiris
Additional Authors and Speakers: Lauren Little
The purpose of this scoping review was to examine research on the association between sensory processing and internalizing behavior (i.e., anxiety, depression) among individuals ages 1-22 years. We used the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus to search articles published from 2005-2018. We included studies that investigated concepts of sensory processing and internalizing using questionnaire or structured behavioral observation data. Results showed that n=98 articles investigated the association between sensory processing and internalizing in the previous 13 years. Various conditions have been found to be associated to sensory processing differences and internalizing, including anorexia, bipolar disorder, OCD, Opsoclonus-Myoclonus, Williams Syndrome, Atopic Dermatitis, Hypomania, ADHD, ASD, and alexithymia. Findings suggest that sensory processing sensitivity was positively associated with personality characteristics, aspects of family life, anxiety, and mental health difficulties. Specific to personality, neuroticism and openness was positively associated with sensory processing sensitivity, while extraversion was negatively associated with sensory processing sensitivity. Families of children with high sensory over-responsivity also showed greater family life impairment and parenting stress compared to lower sensory over-responsivity. Findings from this scoping review may inform intervention approaches that target the sensory processing underpinnings of internalizing behaviors in young children and adolescents.
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