An evaluation of the German version of the Sensory Perception Quotient from an expert by experience perspective

Bierlich, Afton M.; Bloch, Carola; Spyra, Timo; Lanz, Christian; Falter-Wagner, Christine M.; Vogeley, Kai (2024): An evaluation of the German version of the Sensory Perception Quotient from an expert by experience perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 15: 1252277. ISSN 1664-1078

Abstract

Sensory processing is often altered in individuals with autism; thus, it is essential to develop reliable measurement tools to assess sensory perception. The Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ) quantifies basic sensory sensitivities in adults via self-report. Adopting an expert by experience perspective, this study aimed to evaluate a German translation of the SPQ for its use in clinical and research applications, especially for autistic adults. 108 adults ( n = 54 autistic) completed the German SPQ in an online assessment. A 92-item and a 35-item version of the German SPQ were analyzed for group differences and internal consistency. Our results show that adults with autism reported greater sensory sensitivity compared to non-autistic adults. Results further suggest good to excellent internal consistency for the 95-item and 35-item SPQ translations. This finding was supported by the correlative relationship between sensory sensitivity and autistic traits. These findings confirm the reliability of our SPQ translation, making it a suitable German assessment tool for basic sensory sensitivity in autistic adults.

• Doc-Type: Article (LMU Hospital)
• Organisational unit (Faculties): 07 Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
• DFG subject classification of scientific disciplines: Life sciences
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 447947368
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 387494903
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 281511265
• DFG: Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 491502892