The Relationship Between Behaviors Associated With Sensory Processing and Parental Sense of Competence

This study examined the dimensions of parents' sense of competence in relationship to children's behaviors thought to reflect sensory processing disorders (SPD) and sought to determine which behaviors best predicted overall parental sense of competence. A total of 248 parents of children with SPD completed the Sensory Profile and the Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale. Parents of children with SPD demonstrated somewhat higher parenting Satisfaction than Efficacy. Overall, the PSOC scale was significantly correlated with children's behaviors, as measured by the Sensory Profile. Cluster analysis indicated that children's lower Sensory Profile scores were associated with lower PSOC scores. Four specific items of the Sensory Profile reflecting socially unacceptable behavior best predicted overall PSOC scale with an adjusted R-Square of .270. The Occupational Performance Coaching intervention to support both children's social behaviors and parent needs is recommended.