Do childhood adversity and sensory processing sensitivity interact to predict meaningful activity engagement in adulthood?
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Meredith, P
Harnett, P
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract
Introduction: A core tenet of occupational therapy is that engagement in meaningful activities is integral for a person’s health and wellbeing. Childhood adversity can have lifelong impacts on physical and mental health; however, the effects of childhood experiences are dependent on the presence of susceptibility factors, including sensory processing sensitivity. To date, the effects of childhood adversity and sensory processing sensitivity have not been investigated for meaningful activity engagement. This study seeks to determine whether childhood adversity is related to engagement in meaningful activities in adulthood and whether this relationship is moderated by sensory processing sensitivity. Method: Using convenience snowball sampling, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 328 adults. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Risky Families Questionnaire, Highly Sensitive Person Scale and Engagement in Meaningful Activities Scale. Results: Correlational analyses found that childhood adversity was related to significantly less meaningful activity engagement in adulthood, but this relationship was not moderated by sensory processing sensitivity. Conclusion: This study showed, for the first time, that a history of childhood adversity is linked to less engagement in meaningful activities in adulthood. While further research is needed, supporting meaningful activity engagement may be necessary for adults who experienced childhood adversity.
Journal Title
British Journal of Occupational Therapy
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
86
Issue
1
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© The Author(s) 2022. Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permission
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Occupational therapy
Allied health and rehabilitation science
Adverse childhood experiences
meaningful activity engagement
sensory processing sensitivity
differential susceptibility
occupational engagement
adults
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Kerley, L; Meredith, P; Harnett, P, Do childhood adversity and sensory processing sensitivity interact to predict meaningful activity engagement in adulthood?, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2022, 86 (1), pp. 76-83