Localizing sensory processing sensitivity and its subdomains within its relevant trait space: a data-driven approach

Taraneh Attary,Ali Ghazizadeh

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99686-y

Abstract

Sensitivity arising from enhanced processing of external and internal stimuli or sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is known to be present in a sizable portion of the population. Yet a clear localization of SPS and its subdomains with respect to other relevant traits is currently lacking. Here, we used a data-driven approach including hierarchical clustering, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) and graph learning to portrait SPS as measured by Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) in relation to the Big-Five Inventory (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) as well as to shyness, alexithymia, autism quotient, anxiety, and depression (11 total traits) using data from more than 800 participants. Analysis revealed SPS subdomains to be divided between two trait clusters with questions related to aesthetic sensitivity (AES) falling within a cluster of mainly positive traits and neighbored by openness while questions addressing ease of excitation (EOE) and low sensory threshold (LST) to be mostly contained within a cluster of negative traits and neighbored by neuroticism. A similar spread across clusters was seen for questions addressing autism consistent with it being a spectrum disorder, in contrast, alexithymia subdomains were closely fit within the negative cluster. Together, our results support the view of SPS as a distinct yet non-unitary trait and provide insights for further refinements of the current SPS concept and scales.

Highlights

Sensitivity arising from enhanced processing of external and internal stimuli or sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is known to be present in a sizable portion of the population
Hierarchical clustering (HC) was used to sort both rows and columns based on the similarity of the traits across subjects and the similarity of subjects based on their trait scores, respectively
While individuals with high SPS scores formed a sizable chunk of our surveyed individuals (41.46%)[6], SPS scores did not demarcate a distinct group within the population nor were prominent in any of the three globally detected subject groups (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Sensitivity arising from enhanced processing of external and internal stimuli or sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is known to be present in a sizable portion of the population. We used a datadriven approach including hierarchical clustering, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) and graph learning to portrait SPS as measured by Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) in relation to the Big-Five Inventory (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) as well as to shyness, alexithymia, autism quotient, anxiety, and depression (11 total traits) using data from more than 800 participants. Recent studies have suggested at least three subdomains within SPS with differential relations to other traits[7] These subdomains include EOE which addresses being mentally overwhelmed by external and internal demands, LST which refers to unpleasant arousal by sensory stimulation and AES which is related to awareness and sensitivity to aesthetic features. When I was a kid, it seemed like my parents and teachers considered me a sensiƟve and shy person uncategorized AES EOE EOE

Methods

Results

Conclusion