Date of Graduation

Fall 2025

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Mental Health & Behavioral Science

Committee Chair

Carly Yadon

Abstract

Past research suggests that individuals with bipolar disorder often experience differences in sensory gating and sensory processing, and similar patterns have been observed in anxiety disorders. Given that anxiety is highly comorbid with bipolar disorder, the present study examined how these conditions relate to self-reported sensory processing differences. A total of 132 participants (88 female), including 43 with bipolar disorder, were included in the final sample. Anxiety symptomatology was measured via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Form Y. Sensory processing questionnaires included the Sensory Gating Inventory (SGI) and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS). Correlations, t-tests, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), analyses of variance (ANOVAs), and a moderation analysis found that individuals with bipolar disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reported higher anxiety and greater sensory processing difficulties than individuals with neither disorder. Anxiety severity strongly predicted sensory processing difficulties but did not moderate the relationship between bipolar disorder and sensory outcomes, meaning anxiety does not increase or decrease the effect of bipolar disorder on sensory processing. The findings from this study support past findings that sensory processing is altered in bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders, while providing novel information about the influence of anxiety on sensory symptoms in bipolar disorder. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted symptoms of bipolar disorder and may encourage future research aimed at improving its detection.

Keywords

bipolar disorder, sensory processing, anxiety, Sensory Gating Inventory, Adult Sensory Processing Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, sensation, perception, psychosis

Subject Categories

Clinical Psychology

Copyright

© Lyric Arvizu

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