Sensory Reactivity Among School-Age Children and Parental Stress: Findings From the Population-Based InProS Study

Abstract

Importance

Differences in children’s sensory reactivity (SR) may contribute to increased parental stress levels.

Objective

To examine the association between SR differences and parental stress among parents of children ages 3 to 7 yr.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Population-based study.

Participants

A total of 466 parents and their typically developing school-age children from 21 randomly selected schools in Alicante, Spain.

Outcomes and Measures

Parental stress was assessed using the short version of the Parental Stress Scale, a 12-item Likert-scale questionnaire (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) on which higher scores indicate higher stress levels. SR was measured using the Short Sensory Profile, classifying children as showing or not showing SR differences using established cutoffs. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to explore the associations.

Results

Global SR differences were associated with increased parental stress in both fathers (β = 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.40, 4.03]) and mothers (β = 2.74, 95% CI [1.47, 4.00]). Associations were also observed for mothers and fathers, respectively, in several sensory domains: Tactile Sensitivity (β = 2.20, 95% CI [0.43, 3.97]; β = 1.84, 95% CI [0.02, 3.66]), Underresponsive/Seeks Sensation (β = 1.84, 95% CI [0.71, 2.97]; β = 1. 74, 95% CI [0.58; 2.90]), Auditory Filtering (β = 2.61, 95% CI [1.49, 3.72]; β = 2.18, 95% CI [1.02, 3.34]), Low Energy/Weak (β = 2.09, 95% CI [0.40, 3.78]; β = 1.94, 95% CI [0.19, 3.68]), and Visual/Auditory sensitivity (β = 1.61, 95% CI [0.33, 2.90]; β = 2.59, 95% CI [1.27, 3.90]).

Conclusions and Relevance

SR differences among children are associated with increased stress levels for both parents, underscoring the need for family-centered support.

Plain-Language Summary

Children respond to sensory experiences—such as touch, sound, or movement—differently. Some children may be more sensitive to certain stimuli, less responsive, or seek out intense sensations. This study explored whether differences in how children react to sensory input are linked to higher stress levels in their parents. Researchers surveyed 466 parents of children ages 3 to 7 yr and found that both mothers and fathers reported more stress when their children showed noticeable differences in sensory reactivity. Specific sensory challenges—such as tactile sensitivity, reduced responsiveness, and difficulty processing sounds—were particularly associated with increased parental stress. These findings highlight the importance of family-centered support to help parents manage sensory-related challenges. Occupational therapy practitioners can play a key role in providing guidance and strategies to reduce parental stress and improve family well-being.

This study explored whether differences in how children react to sensory input are linked to higher stress levels in their parents.

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