Sensory Processing Patterns of Women in a Reintegration Facility: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Female inmates may be more likely to experience sensory processing concerns due to higher rates of mental illness and trauma compared to the general population. To investigate this, we administered the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile to 66 women incarcerated in a reintegration center in the US Midwest. The female inmates demonstrated no statistically significant difference from the general population in sensory-seeking behaviors (p = 0.100). However, they were statistically different in low registration (p < 0.000), sensory avoiding (p < 0.000), and sensory sensitivity (p < 0.000). These findings highlight the importance of recognizing differences in sensory processing patterns among female inmates, as sensory processing can have an impact on behavior, life skills, and reintegration efforts. In light of these results, this paper provides suggestions for sensory-specific intervention and discusses future collaborations and research.