Sensory processing and alcohol use in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

The association between substance use and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex. Although sensory processing difficulties are highly prevalent in individuals with ASD, data on the association between sensory processing and substance use in ASD are limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between sensory processing patterns and alcohol use in adults with ASD. Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed on questionnaire data (Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption) of 101 adults with ASD. Sensory processing difficulties are associated with alcohol use in adults with ASD. Differences in sensory processing between alcohol-based subgroups vary per specific sensory processing pattern: drinkers reported 6.5 to 8 points higher levels of low registration [χ2(2) = 12.408, p = .002, 99 % CI (.002.002)], non-hazardous drinkers reported 9 points higher levels of sensory sensitivity [χ2(2) = 6.868, p = .031, 99 % CI (.031, .032)], and hazardous drinkers reported 7.5 points higher levels of sensory seeking [χ2(2) = 6.698, p = .034, 99 % CI (.034, .035)], all in comparison with non-drinkers on scales ranging from 15 to 75. Our proof-of-concept study indicates that vulnerability in some individuals with ASD for substance use disorders might be explained by sensory processing difficulties. Whether alcohol is used as 'self-medication' or is associated with other neurobiological vulnerabilities needs further investigation in larger follow-up studies.

Screening for disruptive behavior in adolescents at risk using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire.

Disruptive behavior in adolescents is burdensome and may continue into adulthood if left unidentified. The strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) can screen for disruptive behavior, but its psychometric properties in high-risk samples and ability to predict delinquency warrant further investigation. In 1022 adolescents, we investigated the predictive validity (on average 1.9 years after screening) of the self-reported SDQ on disruptive behavior disorders and delinquency, measured with multi-informant questionnaires and structured interviews. We compared three scoring methods: total, subscale, and dysregulation profile scoring. In this high-risk sample, SDQ subscale scores predicted disruptive behavior outcomes best. Predictive values for the specific types of delinquency were small. Concluding, the SDQ can be used in high-risk settings for early identification of youth with disruptive behavior.

How are you coping? Stress, coping, burnout, and aggression in forensic mental healthcare workers.

Introduction: Perceived stress at work has been linked to several adverse outcomes in workers, including increased risk of burnout and aggression (e.g., anger and irritability). However, much remains unknown about factors that might mitigate the negative influences of perceived stress on workers' well-being. This study focusses on coping as a possible protective factor against perceived stress and its consequences in forensic mental healthcare workers. We aimed to identify which higher-order coping factors were present in this worker sample and to investigate whether these coping factors modify the associations between perceived stress and burnout or aggression. Methods: For this observational survey study, 116 forensic mental healthcare workers completed questionnaires assessing changes in work situation since the start of COVID-19, perceived stress, coping, burnout symptoms, and aggression. Results: Results from principal component analysis indicated that four higher-order coping factors could be distinguished: social support and emotional coping, positive cognitive restructuring, problem-focused coping, and passive coping. Higher perceived stress levels were associated with higher levels of both burnout and aggression in workers. Problem-focused coping was associated with less burnout symptoms in workers. Furthermore, positive cognitive restructuring was associated with less aggression in workers. Discussion: In conclusion, problem-focused coping and positive cognitive restructuring may protect workers against burnout symptoms and aggression and these results may inform future studies on preventive interventions aimed at promoting worker's well-being.

Sensory processing difficulties in psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis.

In clinical practice, many individuals with psychiatric disorders report difficulties in sensory processing, including increased awareness or sensitivity to external stimuli. In this meta-analysis, we examined the sensory processing patterns of adolescent and adult individuals with a broad spectrum of different psychiatric conditions. A systematic search in various databases resulted in the inclusion of 33 studies (N=2008), all using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). By comparing diagnostic subgroups to the corresponding reference group of the AASP, we detected a general pattern of sensory processing, indicating elevated levels of low registration, sensory sensitivity and sensory avoiding and lowered sensory seeking behavior in patients with different types of psychiatric disorders. The majority of effect sizes were large to very large. In conclusion, sensory processing difficulties can be considered as a non-specific transdiagnostic phenotype associated with a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions. Further research into the relevance and role of sensory processing difficulties in psychiatric disorders may improve long-term prognosis and treatment.

Sensory Processing, Perceived Stress and Burnout Symptoms in a Working Population during the COVID-19 Crisis.

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.

Sensory Processing and Aggressive Behavior in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be accompanied by aggressive behavior and is associated with sensory processing difficulties. The present study aims to investigate the direct association between sensory processing and aggressive behavior in adults with ASD. A total of 101 Dutch adult participants with ASD, treated in outpatient or inpatient facilities, completed the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP), the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ), and the Aggression Questionnaire-Short Form (AQ-SF). Results revealed that sensory processing difficulties are associated with more aggressive behavior (f2=0.25), more proactive (f2=0.19) and reactive aggression (f2=0.27), more physical (f2=0.08) and verbal aggression (f2=0.13), and more anger (f2=0.20) and hostility (f2=0.12). Evidence was found for an interaction of the neurological threshold and behavioral response on total aggression and hostility. Participants with higher scores in comparison to the norm group in sensory sensitivity had the highest risk of aggressive behavior. In conclusion, clinical practice may benefit from applying detailed diagnostics on sensory processing difficulties when treating aggressive behavior in adults with ASD.