Introduction: Previous studies have shown that individuals with depressive disorders exhibit extreme sensory processing behaviors. Research has also suggested that specific sensory processing patterns may be linked to better antidepressant responses. However, limited research has explored sensory processing behaviors in Taiwanese
adults with depressive disorders.
Objective: This study aims to examine sensory processing behaviors in adults with depressive disorders and compare their patterns to Taiwanese norms.
Methods: This cross-sectional study collected self-reported data from Taiwanese adults aged 18–65 via an online survey, which included demographic information, psychiatric diagnoses, and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale-Taiwan (ASPS-TW). The ASPS- TW assesses sensory processing patterns across five distinct sensory systems and includes eight subscale scores. Descriptive statistics and one-sample t-tests were conducted to compare the sensory processing patterns of adults with depressive disorders to Taiwanese norms.
Results: A total of 82 adults (M age = 29.70, SD = 12.38; 63 males, 19 females) with self- reported diagnoses of depressive disorder participated in this study. Compared to norms, adults with depressive disorders exhibited significantly higher scores on seven subscales (over-responsiveness to vestibular, over-responsiveness to auditory inputs, over-responsiveness to visual inputs, over-responsiveness to social touch, overall under-responsiveness, under-responsiveness to proprioceptive-vestibular inputs affecting postural-motor abilities, and intolerance to movement). In addition, they had significantly lower scores on the subscale of proprioceptive seeking.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that adults with depressive disorders demonstrate distinct sensory processing patterns. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and their impact on daily functioning.