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

Frank van den Boogert, Pascalle Spaan, Bram Sizoo, Yvonne H. A. Bouman, Witte J. G. Hoogendijk and Sabine J. Roza
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Frank van den Boogert: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Pascalle Spaan: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Bram Sizoo: Center for Developmental Disorders, Dimence Institute for Mental Health, 7416 SB Deventer, The Netherlands
Yvonne H. A. Bouman: Department of Research, Transfore, 7416 SB Deventer, The Netherlands
Witte J. G. Hoogendijk: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Sabine J. Roza: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-11

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.

Keywords: sensory processing; sensory profile; sensory sensitivity; stress; burnout; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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