title: Sensory overload: A concept analysis.
abstract: In the context of mental disorders sensory overload is a widely described phenomenon used in conjunction with psychiatric interventions such as removal from stimuli. However, the theoretical foundation of sensory overload as addressed in the literature can be described as insufficient and fragmentary. To date, the concept of sensory overload has not yet been sufficiently specified or analyzed. The aim of the study was to analyze the concept of sensory overload in mental health care. A literature search was undertaken using specific electronic databases, specific journals and websites, hand searches, specific library catalogues, and electronic publishing databases. Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis was used to analyze the sources included in the analysis. All aspects of the method of Walker and Avant were covered in this concept analysis. The conceptual understanding has become more focused, the defining attributes, influencing factors and consequences are described and empirical referents identified. The concept analysis is a first step in the development of a middle-range descriptive theory of sensory overload based on social scientific and stress-theoretical approaches. This specification may serve as a fundament for further research, for the development of a nursing diagnosis or for guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.|Institute for Health and Nursing Science, Martin-Luther-University, Halle/Saale, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scheydt
authors.affiliation: Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müller Staub
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Therapies and Social Work, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Frauenfelder
authors.affiliation: Protestant University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunnar H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Nursing Science, Martin-Luther-University, Halle/Saale, Germany.|German Institute for Evidence Based Nursing, Wil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.affiliation: Center of Education & Research (COEUR), Cantonal Psychiatric Services - Sector North, Wil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Needham
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D055139:Sensory Gating
keywords: concept analysis; mental health care; psychiatric nursing; sensory overload; sensory overstimulation