| Summary: | Various patients with mental health disorders display problematic
anger experiences and anger behaviour (DiGuiseppe & Tafrate,
2007:9). Many people with high anger tendencies appear to abuse
substances on regular basis (Tafrate et al., 2002:1585). It seems as if
the sensory processing patterns of substance abusers are clinically
significant (Quadling et al., 1999:12). Sensory processing is reflected
in peopleâs moods, temperament and ways in which they organise their
lives (Dunn, 2001:609).
Relationships between sensory processing, anger experiences and
anger behaviour were investigated in substance abusers, using a
quantitative cross-sectional research design. The Ethics Committee of
the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, approved
the study. (ETOVS nr. 133/08). Data was collected between 1 October
2008 en 29 May 2009 at Stabilis Treatment Centre and Denmar
Specialist Psychiatric Hospital. The study was piloted at both
institutions and these results were included into the studyâs results.
Eighty four in-patients, with a history of substance abuse, voluntarily
participated in the study. Convenience sampling was used and the
majority of participants spoke Afrikaans (64%), were male (68%) and
had abused alcohol (66%). Participantsâ average age was 36 years
and 6 months.
The participants completed three questionnaires. Questionnaire one
collected demographic information. Participantsâ sensory processing was assessed through completing the Adolescent/Adult Sensory
Profile. The anger questionnaire was compiled, based on indicators
from literature and assessed the intensity of anger experiences in
situations related to sensory processing behaviours and the frequency
of anger behaviour. Anger behaviour was investigated with regards to:
expressing anger verbally, expressing anger physically, withdrawing
from the angering situation, using substances when experiencing
anger, suppressing anger, expressing anger non-verbally and applying
calming strategies. Department Biostatistics, University of the Free
State, analysed the data of the study.
According to the results it appeared as if participantsâ could experience
high intensity levels of anger in situations related to their:
⢠low registration behaviour more than the typical norm, in vestibular,
visual and auditory processing,
⢠sensory sensitive behaviour more than the typical norm, in
vestibular, touch and auditory processing and
⢠sensory avoiding behaviour more than the typical norm in touch
and auditory processing, as well as activities that did not provide for
sensory avoiding behaviours.
The results further indicated that participants with low registration
patterns more than the typical norm of this quadrant, regularly used
substances when they were angry and regularly expressed their anger
verbally and physically. With regards to participants with sensory
avoiding patterns more than the typical norm of this quadrant, results
indicated that they regularly withdrew from angering situations,
suppressed their anger, expressed their anger non-verbally, applied calming strategies and used substances when experiencing anger. A
need for further research was indicated with regards to the
relationships between sensory seeking patterns and anger behaviour.
Ongoing research with regards to adult clinical populationsâ sensory
processing appears to be worthwhile. Occupational therapists should
consider assessing their adult patients, with problematic anger (like
substance abusers), sensory processing and if necessary integrate it
into treatment.
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