title: Extreme sensory processing patterns show a complex association with depression, and impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness.
abstract: The involvement of extreme sensory processing patterns, impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness was hypothesized to contribute to the complex pathophysiology of major depression and bipolar disorder. However, the nature of the relation between these variables has not been thoroughly investigated.
  
  
  
  This study aimed to explore the association between extreme sensory processing patterns, impulsivity, alexithymia, depression, and hopelessness.
  
  
  
  We recruited 281 euthymic participants (mean age=47.4±12.1) of which 62.3% with unipolar major depression and 37.7% with bipolar disorder. All participants completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), second version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS).
  
  
  
  Lower registration of sensory input showed a significant correlation with depression, impulsivity, attentional/motor impulsivity, and alexithymia. It was significantly more frequent among participants with elevated hopelessness, and accounted for 22% of the variance in depression severity, 15% in greater impulsivity, 36% in alexithymia, and 3% in hopelessness. Elevated sensory seeking correlated with enhanced motor impulsivity and decreased non-planning impulsivity. Higher sensory sensitivity and sensory avoiding correlated with depression, impulsivity, and alexithymia.
  
  
  
  The study was limited by the relatively small sample size and cross-sectional nature of the study. Furthermore, only self-report measures that may be potentially biased by social desirability were used.
  
  
  
  Extreme sensory processing patterns, impulsivity, alexithymia, depression, and hopelessness may show a characteristic pattern in patients with major affective disorders. The careful assessment of sensory profiles may help in developing targeted interventions and improve functional/adaptive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: gianluca.serafini@unige.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serafini
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Kutvolgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Hungary.
authors.forename: Xenia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gonda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canepa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Kutvolgyi Clinical Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rihmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amore
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Batya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Engel-Yeger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alexithymia; Depression; Hopelessness; Impulsivity; Sensory processing patterns