Abstract
Sensory processing may be associated with adolescents’ preferences for different leisure activities. However, knowledge about how different sensory processing patterns may relate to adolescents’ participation in leisure activities is scarce. This study sought to investigate the relationship between sensory processing and leisure participation in early adolescents. Study participants were typical early adolescents aged from 11 to 12 years (mean = 11.88 ± 0.33, n = 140). The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and Children’s Assessment for Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) were used to determine the participants’ sensory processing abilities. Correlational and multiple regression methods were employed to analyze the relationship between sensory processing and leisure participation. There were significant positive relationships between sensory seeking and participation (r = 0.177–0.350, p = 0.000–0.037). There were also significant negative relationships between low registration, sensory sensitivity, and overall participation (r = −0.202, p = 0.017, r = −0.212, p = 0.012). We found that formal activities, skill-based activities, and self-improvement activities were the main distinguishing factors between sensory processing types. Results suggest that sensation seeking and sensory sensitivity from the AASP were predictive of leisure participation. This study provides evidence to inform practices regarding the association of sensory processing and leisure participation and supports the need for assessing sensory processing in early adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescence is one of the most important periods of human development
This review showed that all the studies that were included had a concept of sensory processing, play, or both
This study aimed to provide basic data to determine the correlation between sensory processing ability and leisure participation in early adolescents and to predict the possibility of a positive sensory processing approach for early adolescents, which is a pertinent social issue
Summary
Adolescence is one of the most important periods of human development. During this period, decisions that are made and actions taken can implicate on the rest of a person’s life. Cognitive development increases during adolescence, neurophysiological development continues well into early adulthood These neurophysiological developments occur in the brain’s prefrontal lobe, an area responsible for the “consciousness of the brain,” planning for future actions, considering consequences, and regulating emotional impulses. This period is characterized by increased testosterone levels, which has a significant impact on the amygdaloid body that controls fear and aggression and has been associated with triggering anger, sexual interest, dominance, and territorial behavior [5]. Adolescents experience difficulty in exercising self-regulation, leading to heightened impulses that may prove to be stifling, a strong instinctive power, unpredictable mood swings, confused emotions, and fear [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
