Research Article  |   June 2015
Correlational Research to Examine the Relation Between Attachment and Sensory Modulation in Young Children
Deborah A. Whitcomb; Ricardo C. Carrasco; Ariela Neuman; Heidi Kloos
Author Affiliations
  • Deborah A. Whitcomb, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, is President, Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute, Cincinnati, OH, and was PhD candidate, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, at the time of this study; debw@cintiOTinstitute.com
  • Ricardo C. Carrasco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Chair and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Tampa, FL
  • Ariela Neuman, PhD, OTR/L, was Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, at the time of this study
  • Heidi Kloos, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Article Information
Mental Health / Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / Sensory Integration and Processing / Children and Youth
Research Article   |   June 2015
Correlational Research to Examine the Relation Between Attachment and Sensory Modulation in Young Children
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 2015, Vol. 69, 6904220020p1-6904220020p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.015503
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, June 2015, Vol. 69, 6904220020p1-6904220020p8. doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.015503
Abstract

This study investigated whether a relation exists between attachment and sensory modulation in young children. Participants were 68 children ages 3–6 yr recruited through the local community. Caregivers were asked to complete a standardized behavioral inventory of sensory modulation patterns, and parent–child interactions were observed in their home. The evaluator categorized these interactions on the basis of items related to attachment security and dependency. Results revealed modest correlations between attachment and sensory modulation: rs (66) = .28, p = .02. The capacity to predict sensory modulation function by attachment characteristics and the capacity to predict attachment characteristics by sensory modulation function was significant but small (p < .05). These findings supporting a relation between attachment and sensory modulation should be considered when assessing and planning treatment of children with problems in one or both of these areas.