Translation of the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire into Persian for adults aged 18–45 years: validity and reliability
Authors: Seyedi Seyedeh Zohreh , Pashmdarfard Marzieh , Irani Ashkan , Ansarifar Mohammad Mahdi , Malinakova Klara , Mirzakhany Navid 
Published: September 2024

Background/Aims

Sensory processing sensitivity is a neurobiological trait that is related to many areas of life. The purpose of this study was to translate the original Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire to Persian and access the psychometric properties of the translated questionnaire in adults aged 18–45 years old.

Methods

The questionnaire was translated using the International Quality of Life Assessment project's protocol. Face and content validity were checked by consulting 15 occupational therapists. The study included 142 participants aged 18–45 years with a mean age of 25.11 ± 7.825 years, without any disabilities. They were selected using non-probability sampling and were from all areas of Tehran. The participants completed Persian versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination, General Health Questionnaire-12, and Highly Sensitive Person Scale, as well as the translated Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire. They also completed the Goldberg Depression Scale, Beck's Anxiety Inventory and the neuroticism sub-scale of the Big Five Inventory. Convergent validity was investigated using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale to ensure reliability, and internal consistency analysis was used.

Results

The quality of the translation was good. All items of the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire maintained a high item impact score index, with values higher than 1.5, a content validity ratio higher than 0.60, and a content validity index higher than 0.80. A significant positive correlation (r=0.443, P<0.01) was found between the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire scores and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. The Persian translation of the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire showed optimal internal consistency (α=0.826) based on Cronbach's alpha. The questionnaire demonstrated good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.863). A significant positive correlation exists between sensory processing sensitivity and anxiety (r=0.188, P<0.05) and neuroticism (r=0.186, P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between sensory processing sensitivity and depression despite their direct relationship (r=0.138, P>0.05). In the control condition, similar results were observed. A significant and positive correlation was found between sensory processing sensitivity and neuroticism in both the depression control (r=0.289, P<0.05) and the anxiety control state (r=0.265, P<0.01). Furthermore, a significant and positive relationship was found between sensory processing sensitivity and anxiety in the control of neuroticism (r=0.305, P<0.01). However, no significant relationship was observed between sensory processing sensitivity and depression in the states of anxiety and neuroticism control (0.100<r<0.200, P>0.05). The results of data analysis revealed that women (P=0.002) and employed people (P=0.059) had higher sensory processing sensitivity.

Conclusions

The Persian version of the Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire has acceptable validity and reliability in Persian-speaking adults aged 18-45 years old.

Implications for practice

The Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire represents a convenient research tool for measuring sensory processing sensitivity because of its simple scoring system, it is quick to complete and it can be used in different situations, by rehabilitation service providers, especially occupational therapists.