The Relationship between Digital Addiction and Sensory Processing Patterns in University Students: An Occupational Therapy Perspective

Introduction: Digital addiction is an emerging concern among university students and may be influenced by individual sensory processing patterns. Understanding this relationship offers new avenues for occupational therapy interventions that promote balanced digital engagement. This study aimed to examine the relationship between digital addiction and sensory processing patterns in university students and to determine whether specific sensory processing traits predict digital addiction severity.
Methods: The study was conducted online through self-administered surveys. A total of 117 university students aged 18–25 years who regularly used digital devices for at least 1 year participated in the study. Digital addiction scale and adolescent/adult sensory profile were administered. Data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses.
Results: Sensory sensitivity was positively correlated with all subdimensions of digital addiction and significantly predicted total digital addiction scores. Other sensory processing patterns were not significant predictors.
Discussion and Conclusion: University students with heightened sensory sensitivity are more vulnerable to digital addiction. Occupational therapy practitioners should incorporate sensory-informed strategies to address problematic digital engagement in young adults.

Keywords: Digital addiction; Occupational therapy; Sensory processing; Sensory sensitivity; University students