The Psychometric Properties and Clinical Correlates of the Mandarin Chinese Sensory Perception Quotient-10 in Autistic Adults

Abstract

Background:

Sensory hypersensitivity, a potential challenge in autistic individuals, has gained attention in recent decades. The Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ-10) was one of the tools developed for assessing sensory hypersensitivity in autistic adults, demonstrating adequate construct validity. However, it was unavailable in Asian languages. This study aimed to contribute to the autistic community by validating the Mandarin version of SPQ-10 to enhance the evaluation of sensory hypersensitivity in Mandarin-speaking autistic adults.

Methods:

We recruited 129 autistic adults (mean age 28.1 ± 7.68; female 35, 27.1%) in this study. Participants completed a comprehensive set of assessments, including the SPQ-10, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and the Empathy Quotient. Subsequently, we examined the psychometric properties and clinical correlates of the SPQ-10 thoroughly.

Results:

The Mandarin SPQ-10 total scores had satisfactory test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.762, df = 44, p < 0.001) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.877) and had significant correlations with AASP-overresponsivity (r_s = 0.341), AQ subscale Attention to Details (r_s = 0.424), and the SRS total scores (r_s = 0.213). In terms of sex, autistic females exhibited significantly higher AASP-overresponsivity scores but comparable SPQ-10 scores to autistic males. The SPQ-10 total scores in autistic females significantly correlated with AASP-overresponsivity (r = 0.501), Attention to Details (r = 0.545), and SRS (r = 0.394). For autistic males, SPQ-10 total scores were only correlated with AASP-overresponsivity (r_s = 0.249) and Attention to Details (r_s = 0.320).

Conclusion:

The Mandarin SPQ-10 possesses satisfactory psychometric properties for effectively screening sensory hypersensitivity and overresponsivity in autistic adults. Sensory hypersensitivity measured by the SPQ-10 was correlated with various autistic features, including restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests and social communication difficulties. Autistic females may experience more emotional and behavioral reactivity to sensory hypersensitivity. Consequently, a more nuanced evaluation of sensory features in this population is necessary. With adequate support, sensory hypersensitivity could be a lesser challenge for emotional well-being and social adaptation.

Community Brief

Why is this an important issue?

Some people, especially in the autistic community, are gifted with sensitivity in senses, such as hearing soft sounds or seeing slight color differences that others might miss. While this brings strengths, it may also affect mental health and interpersonal relationships. To help autistic individuals handle potential stress and find fulfillment, we need a quick, consistent, and accurate way to assess sensory sensitivity.

What was the purpose of this study?

This study aimed to ensure the Mandarin Chinese Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ-10) is a suitable tool for measuring sensory sensitivity in autistic people. Researchers also aimed to clarify how sensory sensitivity connects to other common autistic features and affects people of different sexes in the autism community.

What did the researchers do?

Researchers invited 129 autistic adults from the Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, to join this study. Participants filled out surveys, including the SPQ-10, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, the Autism Spectrum Quotient, the Social Responsiveness Scale, and the Empathy Quotient, to quantify their unique features of different domains. The researchers then examined whether the SPQ-10 related to standard scales testing sensory hyperreactivity, whether the SPQ-10 scores correlated with other autistic features, and whether the correlations differed between sexes.

What were the results of this study?

For autistic adults, SPQ-10 is an effective tool for measuring sensory sensitivity and examining how autistic individuals emotionally and behaviorally respond to sensory experiences. Autistic men and women had similar sensitivity in senses, but women tend to react more to sensory inputs. In women, the SPQ-10 scores connected to communication challenges, repeating actions, and focused interests. For men, the SPQ-10 scores were only linked to extra attention to details.

What do these findings add to what was already known?

This study is the first to use the Mandarin Chinese SPQ-10 in autistic adults and examines its psychometric properties. Compared with autistic men, autistic women are more likely to feel anxious and struggle in social situations when there are too many sensory inputs, so they might cope with avoiding or repetitive behaviors and focused interests to decrease sensory stimulation in their surroundings.

What are potential weaknesses in the study?

This study did not include non-autistic individuals to see if SPQ-10 differentiates autistic and non-autistic people. Instead, our data was compared with the dataset in a previous study. Also, there were fewer women (n = 35) in the study than men (n = 94), which might affect how accurately the findings represent the entire autism community. Additionally, this study did not look into the gender identity of the participants and did not recruit nonbinary individuals, which limited the exploration of the effect of gender identity.

How will these findings help autistic adults now or in the future?

The findings support that the Mandarin Chinese SPQ-10 can help clinicians and researchers examine sensory sensitivity in Mandarin-speaking autistic adults. Our findings also highlight the importance of recognizing sensory sensitivity in autistic women since this feature affects them more often than autistic men. We stress on early support for sensory-sensitive autistic women to learn the way of handling intense sensations. By doing so, there might be less impact on mental health and better utilization of sensitivity in senses, leading to better quality of life and self-fulfillment.