Abstract
Although previous research suggests an association between sensory processing and perceived stress in a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, it remains unclear whether this phenomenon occurs independently from psychopathology. The present study investigated the association between sensory processing patterns, perceived stress and occupational burnout as a stress-related condition in a working population. We focused on different aspects of sensory processing and used the momentum of a particularly stressful period: during the first months of the global COVID-19 crisis. A total of 116 workers at a mental healthcare institution in The Netherlands completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). Our results demonstrated that higher scores on sensory sensitivity and low registration were associated with higher scores on perceived stress and core burnout symptoms. Sensory hypersensitivity was also associated with more secondary burnout symptoms. Associations were not driven by underlying sensory-related disorders (e.g., ASD or ADHD). In conclusion, sensory processing difficulties are relevant predictors of stress and occupational burnout, also in healthy employees. This phenomenon warrants further attention, as relatively simple adjustments in working environment may possess important preventive effects.
Highlights
Sensory processing is defined as receiving, modulating, integrating and organizing sensory stimuli, and the behavioral response to these stimuli [1]
We explored the association between sensory processing on the one hand and perceived stress and burnout symptomatology on the other hand in a working population during a highly demanding crisis period
Whereas previous research was often done in clinical populations of patients with neurodevelopmental symptomatology, with known medical conditions that influence sensory processing as well as coping with stress, our study shows that sensory processing is related to perceived stress in healthy workers
Summary
Sensory processing is defined as receiving, modulating, integrating and organizing sensory stimuli, and the behavioral response to these stimuli [1]. Humans are neurobiologically programmed to adapt their responses to environmental stimuli, variability among the general population is high and some people seem to have more sensitive brains or more difficulties in adapting their behavior to stimuli from their environment. Whereas most individuals present a variation in their sensory processing patterns, difficulties in sensory processing might predispose health implications and the development of psychopathology [3]. Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and
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