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.
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VR exposure may cause sensory overload, especially in susceptible individuals such as critically ill patients, where it might exacerbate their already enhanced sensory processing sensitivity.
“VR exposure may cause sensory overload [106,107], especially in susceptible individuals such as critically ill patients, where it might exacerbate their already enhanced sensory processing sensitivity [108].”
From SAFEvR MentalVeRse.app: Development of a Free Immersive Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia and Claustrophobia (2024) · cites this paper as [107]
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“VR exposure may cause sensory overload [106,107], especially in susceptible individuals such as critically ill patients, where it might exacerbate their already enhanced sensory processing sensitivity [108].”
Background
- Authors
- Scheydt, S., Müller Staub, M., Frauenfelder, F., Nielsen, G. H., Behrens, J., & Needham, I.
- Affiliations
- Central Institute of Mental Health (DE)
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen The Netherlands
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich (CH)
- Evangelische Hochschule Hessen (DE)
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (DE)
- Center of Education & Research (COEUR) Cantonal Psychiatric Services ‐ Sector North Wil Switzerland
- Corresponding author
- Scheydt, Stefan
- Frauenfelder, Fritz
- Nielsen, Gunnar H.
- Behrens, Johann
- Needham, Ian
- Venue
- International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-02-09
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 110-120
- ISSN
- 1445-8330 (ISSN-L)
- 1447-0349
- OpenAlex
- W2586935137
- Cited by
- 67
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 0.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Mental Health Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Issues, ethics and legal aspects › Nursing Diagnosis and Documentation
- Keywords
- sensory overload, conceptual analysis, mental illness, mental health services, sensory deprivation, stress theory, middle-range theory, nursing diagnosis, defining attributes, influencing factors, consequences
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Humans, Perception, Physical Stimulation, Psychological Theory, Sensory Gating
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