The relationship between sensory characteristics and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool children-the moderating role of maternal parenting stress

Object To examine the relationship between sensory characteristics and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool children, and to explore the moderating role of maternal parenting stress. Method From April to December 2024, a total of 321 healthy children and their primary caregivers from six kindergartens in Nantong City were recruited as study participants. The Short Sensory Profile, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form were used to assess children’s sensory characteristics, emotional and behavioral problems, and maternal parenting stress. Result The average total score of the SSP among the 321 preschool children was 57.09 ± 16.59, with an abnormality rate of 5.6%. Among the domains of the SDQ, peer relationship problems had the highest rate of abnormalities (31.2%), followed by hyperactivity/inattention (7.79%), emotional symptoms (5.30%), total difficulties (4.36%), conduct problems (3.74%), and prosocial behavior (3.43%). The total SSP score was correlated with all dimensions of the SDQ ( P < 0.01), and maternal parenting stress was correlated with all dimensions of the SDQ ( P < 0.05). Sensory features demonstrated a significant negative predictive effect on emotional and behavioral problems (β = −0.36, P < 0.01), while parenting stress showed a significant positive predictive effect on emotional and behavioral problems (β = 0.27, P < 0.01). Additionally, the interaction term between sensory features and parenting stress significantly and negatively predicted emotional and behavioral problems (β = −0.15, P < 0.01). When maternal parenting stress was high (+1 SD), children’s sensory abnormalities had a strong positive influence on emotional and behavioral problems ( t = 9.07, P < 0.001). Conversely, when maternal parenting stress was low (−1 SD), the predictive significance of children’s sensory abnormalities on emotional and behavioral problems was weaker ( t = 3.17, P < 0.01). Conclusion There was a significant association between sensory characteristics and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool children. Maternal parenting stress moderated this relationship—higher levels of parenting stress amplified the impact of children’s sensory characteristics on emotional and behavioral issues. Future efforts should place greater emphasis on the development of sensory characteristics in preschool children and address family-related parenting stress, in order to effectively reduce the occurrence of emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood.