The Development of an Adolescent Sensory Coping Measure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development of an adolescent sensory coping measure for use within non-clinical and clinical presentations
IRAS ID
289550
Contact name
Eloise Maguire
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 13 days
Research summary
Research suggests that sensory processing exists on a continuum in the general population, and that key difficulties in processing and modulation exist within multiple clinical groups. It is well established within clinical practice that individuals with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and those who have experienced interpersonal trauma share a number of key features, which can lead to misdiagnosis and difficulties being missed. It is possible however, that these two groups may differ in the way they modulate their sensory experiences.
There are currently no appropriate measures that enable an exploration of sensory modulation. This study therefore aims to develop a measure to identify management strategies used by the general population to modulate sensory experiences, and to validate its use by applying it to groups with ASD and those who have experienced interpersonal trauma.
Young people between 13 and 18 years old who experience sensory sensitivities, as well as professionals in the field, will be consulted through interviews and focus groups to support the development of items for the questionnaire, alongside information gathered from a literature review. Following this, 250 young people between 13-18 years from the general population will be asked to complete the questionnaire, recruited through social media. A factor analysis will be completed, and then the final questionnaire will be validated across three different groups. These groups will be a 'healthy population', 'ASD traits group' and a group who have experienced adverse childhood events.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EE/0031
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion