scholarly journals The relationship between sensory reactivity differences and mental health symptoms in children with neurodevelopmental conditions and their neurotypical peers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Rossow ◽  
Elysa J Marco ◽  
Molly Gerdes ◽  
Teresa Tavassoli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Mental Health Symptom ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Sensory Reactivity ◽  
Health Assessments ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often have sensory reactivity differences, such as being overwhelmed by sounds, which can elicit distress in their everyday life. Furthermore, children with an NDC often present with a greater frequency of mental health symptoms compared to their typically developing peers. However little research has examined the relationship of these sensory reactivity differences on broader mental health. Aims: This study set out to explore the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Methods: Data from parent-reported measures of sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms were collected for 49 children presenting with a neurodevelopmental condition and 42 typically developing (TD) controls. Procedures: Partial correlational analyses, controlling for IQ, were used to elucidate the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Results: Children with an NDC were significantly more likely to present with a sensory reactivity difference or mental health symptom. Sensory seeking was found to be the sensory subtype most related to mental health symptoms, especially in externalising conditions. There was evidence also found for a relationship between depression, sensory seeking and sensory hypo-reactivity, and GAD and hyper-reactivity. Conclusions: Findings suggest a relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms in children with a neurodevelopmental condition. There is also preliminary evidence of unique sensory-based profiles of mental health. Implications: Assessment of sensory difficulties as part of more rigorous mental health assessments within mental health services will support more accurate diagnoses and intervention.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Sensory Reactivity Differences and Mental Health Symptoms in Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions and Their Neurotypical Peers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Timothy Rossow ◽  
◽  
Elysa J Marco ◽  
Molly Gerdes ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Sensory Reactivity ◽  
Mental Health Assessment ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often have sensory reactivity differences, such as being overwhelmed by sounds, which can elicit distress in their everyday life. Furthermore, children with an NDC often present with a greater frequency of mental health symptoms compared to their typically developing peers. However little research has examined the relationship of these sensory reactivity differences on broader mental health. This study set out to explore the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Data from parent-reported measures of sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms were collected for 49 children presenting with a neurodevelopmental condition and 42 typically developing (TD) controls. Partial correlational analyses, controlling for IQ, were used to elucidate the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Children with an NDC were significantly more likely to present with a sensory reactivity difference or mental health symptom. Sensory seeking was found to be the sensory subtype most related to mental health symptoms, especially in externalising conditions. There was evidence also found for a relationship between depression, sensory seeking and sensory hypo-reactivity, and GAD and hyper-reactivity. Findings suggest a relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms in children with a neurodevelopmental condition. There is also preliminary evidence of unique sensory-based profiles of mental health. Assessment of sensory difficulties as part of more rigorous mental health assessments within mental health services will support more accurate diagnoses and intervention.

scholarly journals The relationship between sensory reactivity differences and mental health symptoms in preschool-age autistic children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Rossow ◽  
Keren MacLennan ◽  
Teresa Tavassoli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Sensory Reactivity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Preschool Aged Children

There is growing evidence for an association between sensory reactivity and mental health in autism. This study set out to explore the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health in pre-school aged autistic children. In total 54 preschool-aged children with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) took part. Sensory and mental health symptoms were obtained from the Sensory Processing Scale Inventory, Sensory Assessment of Neurodevelopmental Differences and the Behavioural Assessment System for Children – 3. Correlational analyses showed a relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms in autistic preschool-aged children. Results also indicate divergence in sensory-mental health profiles between autistic preschool-aged children who are verbal and those who use few to no words. For the first time this study has revealed a relationship between sensory hyper-reactivity, as well as sensory seeking, and mental health symptoms outside of anxiety in autism. Of note, this relationship between sensory hyper-reactivity and internalising symptoms appears to be driven by those with few to no words. This has implications for both research and clinical interventions, in particular for our understanding of the factors underlying mental health symptoms in different autistic phenotypes, as well as the possible role of functional communication in mitigating the development of mental health symptoms

Camouflaging in non-autistic adults is associated with poorer mental health

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Somerville ◽  
Sarah E. MacPherson ◽  
Sue Fletcher-Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Camouflaging is a frequently reported behaviour in autistic people, which entails the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic traits in social situations. Camouflaging is associated with poor mental health in autistic people. This study examined the manifestation of camouflaging in a non-autistic sample, examining the relationship between autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health. In addition, the role of executive functions as a mechanism underpinning camouflaging was explored. Sixty-three non-autistic adults completed standardised self-report questionnaires which measured: autistic traits, mental health symptoms, and camouflaging behaviours. In addition, a subset (n=51) completed three tests of executive function measuring inhibition, working memory, and set-shifting. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse data. Results indicated that autistic traits are not associated with mental health symptoms when controlling for camouflaging, and camouflaging predicted increased mental health symptoms. Camouflaging did not correlate with any measure of executive function. These findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autistic traits and mental health in non-autistic people and add to the growing development of theory and knowledge about the mechanism and effects of camouflaging.

scholarly journals Examining Spouse/Partner Presence as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Mental Health Symptoms and Alcohol Use in OEF/OIF Veterans

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 366-375
Author(s):  
Alicia K. Klanecky ◽  
Jennifer M. Cadigan ◽  
Matthew P. Martens ◽  
Randall E. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Relationships among Early Adversity, Positive Human and Animal Interactions, and Mental Health in Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Kerri E. Rodriguez ◽  
Shelby E. McDonald ◽  
Samantha M. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor mental health. Emerging research demonstrates the protective role of positive childhood experiences, including a positive sense of self and relationships with both humans and animals, in mitigating the impacts of early life adversity on mental health outcomes. This study examined whether benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) or relationships and interactions with pets during childhood moderated the link between ACEs and current mental health symptoms in a sample of young adults. Students (N = 214) recruited from a public university in the U.S. completed an online survey. The results showed that ACEs were significantly associated with worse mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Neither emotional closeness to a childhood pet dog nor positive interactions with a childhood pet were significant moderators of the relationship between ACEs and mental health. In contrast, more BCEs were associated with better mental health, and their interaction with ACEs was significant such that adversity-exposed young adults with high BCEs reported fewer mental health symptoms than those with low BCEs. The results highlight the need for continued research on differential experiences that may be protective in the relationship between adversity exposures and mental health.

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