The relationship between sensory processing disorder and temperament on emotional functioning and self-efficacy in childhood

Abstract

My study presents and explores the emotional functions and the sense of self-efficacy among school-age children (6–10) with sensory processing disorder manifested in sensory processing disorder (SPD) while addressing their temperament. Central questions in this study involve the element of temperament, which determined the emotional functioning of children who suffer from SPD and examined whether temperament explaining the variance in these children's self-efficacy. The SPD was the independent variable. Emotional functioning and the sense of self-efficacy were the dependent variables and temperament served as the mediating variable.The study focused on 209 students (129 boys, 80 girls) between the ages 6–10 (M = 8, SD = 1.13), studying in schools in different geographical areas in Israel. The Short Sensory Profile (SPS) Questionnaire was administered to the students in order to characterize their sensory profiles and served as a tool for screening and identifying the children with SPD and children who will be included in the control group. The questions raised in this study, have both educational and clinical research importance. They can be used as the basis for educational interventions for children with SOR and may be useful in supporting the building of an integrated intervention and treatment program.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.