Relations between sensory-related factors and stress in autistic and non-autistic adults

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dc.check.date2027-12-31
dc.contributor.advisorSetti, Annalisa
dc.contributor.advisorKeating, Kim
dc.contributor.advisorLarkin, Fionnuala
dc.contributor.authorHarrold, Aineen
dc.contributor.funderHealth Service Executiveen
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-01T08:51:24Z
dc.date.available2024-10-01T08:51:24Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.date.submitted2024
dc.description.abstractBackground: There is emerging empirical evidence indicating that differences in self-reported sensory processing may be associated with differences in levels of stress in adult populations. Parenting often comes with increased sensory stimulation, such as noise or tactile stimulation. Therefore, responsivity to sensory stimuli could be a risk factor for parenting stress. Autistic parents and Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP) may be particularly at risk of elevated parenting stress, given their pronounced sensory sensitivity. Aims: The overarching aim of this thesis portfolio is to explore the relations between sensory-related factors and stress in autistic and non-autistic adults. A secondary aim was to explore relations between the constructs of HSP and autism. Systematic Review: The systematic review aimed to synthesise and summarise the available evidence examining the association between self-reported sensory processing and self-reported stress in adult populations. Twenty studies, both qualitative and quantitative, were assessed for quality and the results analysed using narrative synthesis. Overall, the evidence is strong for an association between differences in sensory processing and self-reported stress in adults, across a range of populations and measures of stress. Greater sensory sensitivity was consistently associated with higher levels of stress in cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal studies are lacking. Empirical study: This quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the role sensory-related factors play in predicting parenting stress in autistic and non-autistic parents. A total of 104 parents completed measures of autistic traits, sensory processing sensitivity, sensory processing difficulties and parenting stress. Data were analysed statistically using t-tests, correlational, and regression analysis. Autistic parents and HSP parents had higher levels of levels of parenting stress than non-autistic and non-HSP parents. Sensory-related factors predicted parenting stress in autistic and non-autistic parents. Conclusions: Findings from this research support the significance of sensory processing in contributing to stress in adults. Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli was also found to contribute to stress in the parenting role. Individuals who have heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as autistic individuals and HPSs, were found to experience elevated parenting stress.en
dc.description.statusNot peer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationHarrold, A. 2024. Relations between sensory-related factors and stress in autistic and non-autistic adults. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.
dc.identifier.endpage231
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/16469
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity College Corken
dc.rights© 2024, Aine Harrold.
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectStress
dc.subjectSensory processing
dc.subjectHighly Sensitive Person
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectWellbeing
dc.titleRelations between sensory-related factors and stress in autistic and non-autistic adults
dc.typeDoctoral thesisen
dc.type.qualificationlevelPractitioner Doctorateen
dc.type.qualificationnameDClinPsych - Doctor of Clinical Psychologyen
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