title: Correlational Research to Examine the Relation Between Attachment and Sensory Modulation in Young Children.
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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Whitcomb
authors.affiliation: Ricardo C. Carrasco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Chair and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Tampa, FL.
authors.forename: Ricardo C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.affiliation: Ariela Neuman, PhD, OTR/L, was Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, at the time of this study.
authors.forename: Ariela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.affiliation: Heidi Kloos, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kloos
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012678:Sensation Disorders