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Cited by 70Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding IssuesStress Responses and Cortisol

Impact of sensory sensitivity on physiological stress response and novel Peer interaction in children with and without autism spectrum disorder

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Corbett, Blythe A., Muscatello, Rachael A., Blain, Scott D.·2016·Frontiers in Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2016.00278PMC PMC4917546
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: For many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social interactions can be stressful. Previous research shows that youth with ASD exhibit greater physiological stress response during peer interaction, compared to typically developing (TD) peers. Heightened sensory sensitivity may contribute to maladaptive patterns of stress and anxiety. The current study investigated between-group differences in stress response to peer interaction, as well as the role of sensory sensitivity. METHODS: Participants included 80 children (40 ASD) between 8 and 12 years. Children participated in the peer interaction paradigm (PIP), an ecologically valid protocol that simulates real-world social interaction. Salivary cortisol was collected before and after the 20 min PIP. Parents completed questionnaires pertaining to child stress (Stress Survey Schedule) and sensory sensitivity (Short Sensory Profile). Statistical analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA models to examine between-group differences in cortisol and play; Pearson correlations to determine relations between cortisol, play, and questionnaire scores; and moderation analyses to investigate interactions among variables. RESULTS: Controlling for baseline cortisol values, children with ASD showed significantly higher cortisol levels than TD peers, in response to the PIP [F (1, 77) = 5.77, p = 0.02]. Cortisol during play was negatively correlated with scores on the SSP (r = -0.242, p = 0.03), and positively correlated with SSS (r = 0.273, p = 0.02) indicating that higher cortisol was associated with greater sensory sensitivity (lower SSP reflects more impairment) and enhanced stress in various contexts (higher SSS reflects more stress). Furthermore, diagnosis was a significant moderator of the relation between cortisol and SSP, at multiple time points during the PIP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study extends previous findings by showing that higher physiological arousal during play is associated with heightened sensory sensitivity and a pattern of increased stress in various contexts. RESULTS are discussed in a broader context, emphasizing the need to examine relationships between social, behavioral, and physiological profiles in ASD to enhance understanding and improve treatments aimed at ameliorating stress and sensory dysfunction, while enhancing social skills.

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  • Greater sensory dysfunction was associated with increased stress, and diagnosis was a significant moderator of the relationship between sensory function and stress response.

    “Greater sensory dysfunction was associated with increased stress, and diagnosis was a significant moderator of the relationship between sensory function and stress response.”

    From Sensory, emotional and cognitive contributions to anxiety in autism spectrum disorders (2017) · cites this paper as Corbett et al., 2016

  • Cortisol response to stress was higher for ASD children than controls during an ecologically-relevant peer interaction.

    “Corbett et al. (2016) reported that cortisol response to stress was higher for ASD children than controls during an ecologically-relevant peer interaction.”

    From Sensory, emotional and cognitive contributions to anxiety in autism spectrum disorders (2017) · cites this paper as Corbett et al., 2016

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  1. Noldus (2008). The Observer XT. Vol. 10.5. Wageningen: Noldus Information Technology.

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Authors
Corbett, B. A., Muscatello, R. A., & Blain, S. D.
Affiliations
Vanderbilt University (US)
Corresponding author
Corbett, Blythe A.
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2016-06-23
Volume
10
Pages
278-278
ISSN
1662-453X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnins.2016.00278
PMC
PMC4917546
OpenAlex
W2475365342
Cited by
70
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7
FWCI
2.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH085717)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivity, physiological stress response, salivary cortisol, peer interaction, children, social stress, anxiety, play, Short Sensory Profile

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