A stress management programme for mothers of children with sensory modulation disorder: a sensory modulation-based approach

Abstract

Parents of children who have sensory modulation disorder (SMD) and who have sensory over-responsiveness (SOR) themselves may display mal-adaptive self-regulatory strategies, contributing to elevated stress levels. The purpose of the study is to determine the perceived stress levels and sensory self-regulatory strategies of mothers of children with SMD, who presented with SOR themselves. A twelve-week stress management programme using a sensory modulation-based approach was developed and implemented with a sample of five mothers with SOR. The quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design required the participants to complete the Parenting Stress Index-4 Short Form and a sensory self-regulatory questionnaire. The effectiveness of the programme was assessed by determining change in perceived stress and self-regulatory behaviours immediately after and three months following the programme. Although no statistically significant change was found, clinically relevant change with large effect sizes was evident in the scores for parental distress, difficult child, total stress, and self-regulatory behaviour after the intervention period. Further clinical change was found for parental distress, difficult child and parent child dysfunctional interaction with moderate effect sizes after the follow up period. The results of this study indicate the importance of addressing the mother’s stress levels, in addition to treating their child with SMD.