High Sensory Processing Sensitivity Research Articles

Individual traits are associated with pro‐environmental behaviour: Environmental sensitivity, nature connectedness and consideration for future consequences

Abstract Despite growing concern about climate change, there remains a significant gap between individuals' environmental concern and their actual behaviour. Humans' personal relationship with nature is a key contributor to pro‐environmental behaviour (PEB), which may account for this gap. Those individuals with high levels of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), approximately 25%–30% of the population, have a particularly strong connection with the natural world and have a ‘pause to check’ attitude that may make them more prone to consider future consequences of actions. We hypothesise that (1) a disposition to experience awe, characterizing high SPS, mediates the association between the trait and connectedness to nature (CN); (2) SPS is associated with PEB, and CN mediates the association; and (3) consideration for future consequences also mediates the association between high SPS and PEB. 807 participants completed an online survey including validated measures of SPS, CN, awe, PEB and consideration for future consequences. Correlational and mediational analyses were performed to test the hypotheses. The study showed that the relationship between SPS and CN was mediated by awe. The relationship between SPS and PEB was independently mediated by CN and consideration for future consequences. Policy implications. The UN Sustainable Development Goals were set to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by considering individual differences, as well as improving climate action (SDG 13). This study shows that psychological dimensions such as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) are linked to pro‐environmental behaviour (PEB) through future‐oriented thinking and feeling connected with nature. These results also suggest that cultivating connectedness to nature and training those with lower SPS to consider future consequences of actions may be a potential avenue to improve PEB. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Aesthetic sensitivity: relationship with openness to experience and agreeableness, health-related quality of life and adaptive coping strategies in people with high sensory processing sensitivity.

Aesthetic sensitivity in people with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) reflects the positive perception of life, especially aspects related to the arts and nature. This study is focused on the analysis of the effect of aesthetic sensitivity in relation to indicators of health-related quality of life (general health, mental health and emotional role), the personality traits openness to experience and agreeableness, and coping strategies in people with SPS. The adult participants (N = 10,520, mean age = 33.61) completed the Spanish versions of the High Sensitivity Person Scale (HSPS-S), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI). It was observed that people with high aesthetic sensitivity presented greater openness and agreeableness, tended to use adaptive coping strategies and showed a slightly poorer functioning in different areas of daily living. Moreover, health-related quality of life, mental health and adaptive coping strategies occupied central positions in the correlations between variables, with a positive impact between mental health and adaptive coping strategies with openness and agreeableness. Lastly, the level of aesthetic sensitivity did not play a moderator role, and it exerted no differential influence on its relationship with the analysed variables. Now, it has been found that people with high levels of aesthetic sensitivity cope more adequately, which would cushion the effect that high SPS can have on mental health, specifically on anxious and depressive symptoms. It is concluded that these findings are relevant and useful for future propositions of prevention and clinical intervention, as well as for counselling in the psychoeducational, labour and family scopes, amongst others.

Higher sensory processing sensitivity: increased cautiousness in attentional processing in conflict contexts

ABSTRACT While interest grows in investigating sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), few studies have employed objective behavioural measures to directly explore the underlying attentional processing. The present study utilised two modified versions of the Emotional Attention Networks Test Integration (E-ANTI) to investigate whether and how emotion interacts with three attentional networks associated with SPS when emotion information was target-irrelevant (Experiment 1) and target-relevant (Experiment 2), respectively. Both experiments involved four manipulated within-subject factors: Signal (tone vs. no-tone), Cue Validity (valid vs. invalid), Flanker Congruency (congruent vs. incongruent), and Emotion (fearful vs. happy). Linear mixed models were employed, and three attentional networks were successfully captured in both experiments. In Experiment 1, we observed that as SPS increased, the difference in reaction time between valid and invalid cue conditions decreased, especially in incongruent trials. Participants rated fearful faces as more arousing than happy faces as SPS increased. In Experiment 2, we found that slow responding to fearful faces reduced as SPS increased, particularly in incongruent trials. The observed effects related to SPS in both experiments were particularly pronounced in incongruent conditions, suggesting that SPS may modulate attentional processes in high-conflict situations. Overall, higher SPS may be associated with increased cautiousness in conflict contexts.

Emotion regulation goals and strategies among individuals with varying levels of sensory processing sensitivity: a latent profile analysis.

Emotion regulation (ER) has emerged as a significant factor influencing the well-being of individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). However, the interaction between SPS and the underlying mechanisms of ER remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to (a) identify profiles of SPS and ER competency using a latent profile analysis (LPA), and (b) investigate the ER goals and strategy use among each profile to better understand ER patterns in highly sensitive individuals with lower ER proficiency. A total of 813 Chinese college students (mean age = 21.53 ± 2.48; 74.41% female) completed the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Emotion Regulation Goals Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the rumination subscale from the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The LPA identified three profiles: "Low SPS - High ER Competency" (41%), "Moderate SPS - ER Competency" (41%), and "High SPS - Low ER Competency" (18%). ER goals varied significantly among these groups. The "High SPS - Low ER Competency" group predominantly pursued contra-hedonic goals and impression management goals, while the "Low SPS - High ER Competency" group focused on pro-hedonic goals. In terms of strategies, the "Low SPS - High ER Competency" group mainly used cognitive reappraisal, the "Moderate SPS - ER Competency" group leaned towards suppression, and the "High SPS - Low ER Competency" group preferred rumination and suppression. These findings indicate that higher SPS combined with lower ER proficiency is linked to an increased pursuit of contra-hedonic goals and impression management goals, and a reliance on response-focused strategies. This pattern offers new insights for developing psychological support strategies for highly sensitive individuals experiencing mental distress.

Study of the Relationship between Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Burnout Syndrome among Speech and Language Therapists

Background: Burnout syndrome can arise due to either situational factors such as working conditions, or dispositional factors such as certain temperaments, like a high sensory processing sensitivity. We aim to address the relative absence of studies on speech-language therapists and seek to determine the role of high sensitivity for these healthcare workers in relation to burnout syndrome. Method: The sample consisted of 602 female speech-language pathologists who anonymously completed a questionnaire measuring burnout (ProQOL 5th edition) and sensory processing sensitivity (HSPS-FR). Results: The results revealed that 77.41% of the participants reported moderate or high burnout scores. Furthermore, the analyses revealed that highly sensitive participants are more vulnerable to burnout than others. Conclusion: This study highlights the negative impact of high sensory processing sensitivity on burnout. However, according to the kind of sensitivity, we discuss the way in which highly sensitive caregivers can master this sensitivity in order to use it as a strength in their professions and to spare themselves from suffering deleterious effects, such as compassion fatigue and/or burnout.

Sensory processing sensitivity, memory and cognitive training with neurofeedback

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a biological trait associated with enhanced awareness of and responsivity to the environment, as well as depth of cognitive processing. However, only a few studies have investigated how contextual factors impact cognition as a function of SPS. Thus, this study examined whether SPS is associated with differential changes in cognitive function resulting from participation in a 4-week app-based cognitive training program with neurofeedback (CT-NF). Participants (M age = 66 years) were randomized to either a treatment (CT-NF) or control group (Tetris). They completed a self-report measure of SPS (the Highly Sensitive Person Scale), and cognitive tests at pre- and post–intervention. Results revealed that individuals with higher levels of SPS in the treatment group showed superior improvements in memory (MEM) and visual memory (VSM), relative to other participants and other measures of cognition. These findings are consistent with theories of SPS and studies showing that enhanced visual perceptiveness and memory are associated with the trait. Moreover, they highlight the cognitive mechanisms that might be especially important for SPS. In conclusion, these findings suggest that those with high SPS may experience enhancements in MEM and VSM, resulting from a 4-week app-based CT-NF program.

The Covid-19 pandemic had polarizing effects on trait scores depending on a person's resilience and predispositions: A longitudinal prospective study

While Covid-19 is, first and foremost, a pernicious physical illness, its highly contagious nature has led to significant disruption in social life and psychological stress, occasionally resulting in dire mental health consequences that are still not fully understood. To address this issue, a prospective longitudinal design study was conducted by administering standard self-reporting questionnaires covering the NEO-five factor inventory (NEO-FFI), shyness, alexithymia, autism quotient, anxiety, depression, and sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). A total of 114 participants (of which 71.93% were females) with an average age of 30.29 (standard deviation = 11.04) completed the survey before and a few months after the pandemic. Results revealed the distribution of population scores to become more extreme in either positive or negative trait directions despite the stability of average trait scores across the population. Higher resilience was found to be positively correlated with improved trait scores post-pandemic but corona anxiety score was not correlated with trait score changes. In addition, in the subjects with moderate negative trait scores, agreeableness and autism scores and in subjects with high negative trait scores, openness, SPS and shyness scores were significantly correlated with trait scores changes post-pandemic. These results reveal the nuanced effects of the pandemic on the people's psychological well-being and highlight vulnerabilities for certain groups despite the overall stability of population that needs to be taken into account for mental health policies going forward.

Watching a video of nature reduces negative affect and rumination, while positive affect is determined by the level of sensory processing sensitivity

Natural environments have positive effects in reducing rumination, improving affect and restoring depleted cognitive abilities, however individual differences in susceptibility to these positive effects are still understudied. Higher Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a risk factor for mental ill-health and ruminative thoughts, however, those high in SPS are particularly connected with nature, therefore potentially more susceptible to nature-based interventions. In this pre-post study, we evaluated the impact of virtual nature exposure on affect, rumination, and executive functions in individuals with varying levels of SPS. 147 participants (53.1% female; Mage = 48.07) were characterised SPS, depression and anxiety, then they completed measures of affect, state rumination and performed the Stroop task before and after watching a nature or urban video. The study was conducted online. Changes in positive affect were predicted by the interaction between SPS and the type of environment viewed. A decrease in negative affect post exposure to the nature video, and rumination post both interventions were also found overall, but not on Stroop performance. A thematic analysis of qualitative follow up questions contributed to elucidate these results. In sum, a brief virtual nature intervention may be a feasible way of reducing negative affectivity and rumination and increase positive affect particularly in those with high SPS.

Religious coping of Malaysian Muslims with high Sensory-Processing Sensitivity in facing the loss of loved one(s)

Sensory-Processing Sensitivity (SPS) characterizes people’s characteristic sensitivity to experience. SPS is a young field of research. There are limitations in the study of SPS and religiosity and spirituality. This study seeks to explore how Muslims with high SPS view the loss they have experienced and how they cope with the loss from an Islamic perspective. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used as the method of the study to allow for an in-depth exploration of how participants make sense of their loss experiences. The study recruited five high SPS Malaysian Muslims to explore the loss and coping experiences they had during the COVID-19 crisis and how they viewed the experiences in Islamic perspectives. The study found three themes in the application of Islamic perspectives in viewing the loss experienced by the participants and the way they coped with the loss. The Malaysian Muslim participants applied Islamic teachings as protective and therapeutic aspects to cope with the loss of loved ones, which is consistent with previous studies on Islamic religiosity. It is recommended that future SPS studies focus on exploring how individuals with different levels of SPS view religiosity and spirituality aspects of life events, especially within the Malaysian Muslim community.

Children's sensory processing sensitivity and prosocial behaviors: Testing the differential susceptibility theory.

We conducted two studies to investigate whether children (3-6 years old) with high sensory processing sensitivity show greater susceptibility toward environmental influence in their prosocial development. In two independent samples (NStudy 1 = 120, 55 boys, 65 girls; NStudy 2 = 151, 72 boys, 79 girls), we successfully replicated the findings that children with high sensory processing sensitivity, particularly aesthetic sensitivity, demonstrated stronger susceptibility to the influence of negative parenting in their prosocial behaviors. In the laboratory experimental setting (Study 2), we found that children high in sensory processing sensitivity demonstrated stronger susceptibility to observed negative feedback compared to children with low sensitivity. The heightened susceptibility to observed feedback may potentially be attributed to their enhanced emotional reactivity in reaction to environmental stimuli. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Early predictors of sensory processing sensitivity in members of the Birth to Twenty Plus cohort

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait describing individuals who are more receptive to their environmental context. SPS has implications across the lifespan, but few longitudinal predictors of the trait are currently known. We examined potential predictors of adult SPS levels among 858 members of the Birth to Twenty Plus cohort. Available data included birth weight, gestational age, socioeconomic status, prenatal maternal stress (PMS), child behaviour scores, and genotypes for three loci (5-HTTLPR, DRD4, and MAOA). Highly Sensitive Person scale scores at ages 28–29 were regressed on these variables. Early gestational age (p < .01) and PMS (p = .05) were significantly associated with higher SPS. Our results tentatively support the hypothesis that prenatal adversity is associated with heightened sensitivity.

The Effect of CRHBP rs10062367 Polymorphism and Parenting Styles on Internalizing Problems in Preschoolers: The Moderating Effect of Sensory Processing Sensitivity.

The present study aimed to examine how CRHBP rs10062367 polymorphism interacted with parenting styles and sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) to impact on preschoolers' internalizing problems. A total of 446 preschoolers (Mage = 4.55, SD = 1.07) participated in the study and their saliva were extracted to genotype the CRHBP rs10062367 polymorphism, and their parents were invited to complete a battery of questionnaires to assess parenting styles, preschoolers' SPS, and internalizing problems. Results indicated that high SPS preschoolers with A allele exhibited fewer internalizing problems under the condition of positive parenting while they exhibited more internalizing problems under the condition of negative parenting. The findings provide support for the Differential Susceptibility Model/Biological Sensitivity to Context Theory that A allele of rs10062367 and high SPS might be the "susceptibility markers" of children to environments.

Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Japanese Adults.

Background: Sensory processing sensitivity is a personality or temperamental trait defined as individual differences in the tendency to perceive and process both positive and negative stimuli and experiences. Studies have shown that high sensitivity is correlated with psychosocial health, including depression and anxiety. However, its relationship with physical health has not been clarified. To fill this gap, using a large sample size with sufficient statistical power, an adult sample not including university students, and a range of covariates, this study examined the association between gastrointestinal symptoms as an indicator of physical health and sensory processing sensitivity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants were 863 Japanese adults (female = 450; male = 413; Mage = 30.4 years; SD = 4.9) who completed a web-based questionnaire. We statistically controlled for sociodemographic characteristics and examined whether sensory processing sensitivity is correlated with gastrointestinal symptoms. Results: The results showed that highly sensitive individuals were more likely to experience a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms in the past week, including reflux symptoms, abdominal pain, indigestion symptoms, diarrhea symptoms, and constipation symptoms, even when statistically controlling for the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that high sensory processing sensitivity is associated with physical health. Some of the potential causes of this are also discussed.

Do highly sensitive persons display hypersensitive narcissism? Similarities and differences in the nomological networks of sensory processing sensitivity and vulnerable narcissism.

Individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) ("highly sensitive persons") are thought to be easily excitable and overwhelmed, highly attentive to aesthetic impressions, and particularly sensitive to sensory stimulation. Public discourse suggests that those who describe themselves as highly sensitive see themselves as fundamentally different from others, and view their personality as a gift and a burden. From a clinical personality perspective, high sensitivity could be considered to have substantial overlaps with hypersensitive narcissism, or generally vulnerable narcissism. We investigated the associations and shared nomological networks between high sensitivity and hypersensitive narcissism in two studies using convenience and representative samples (n1 = 280, n2 = 310). There is evidence for replicable associations between SPS and hypersensitive (.53 ≤ r ≤ .54) as well as vulnerable narcissism (.44 ≤ r ≤ .54), associations were not attributable to general neuroticism. Nomological networks were similar and pointed to a neurotic-introverted personality profile with reduced personality functioning. Latent class analyses further pointed to substantial and practically relevant person-level covariance. Sensory processing sensitivity and hypersensitive narcissism are substantially related constructs. For clinicians, this points to the importance of being attentive to narcissistic self-regulatory strategies in individuals presenting as highly sensitive.

Sensory processing sensitivity and somatosensory brain activation when feeling touch

Sensory processing sensitivity is described as a personality trait associated with a high sensitivity to environmental and social stimuli. It has been assumed that about 15–20% of the total population can be described as highly sensitive. The concept states that those individuals represent a higher sensitivity to subtle stimuli, thereby exhibiting a different somatic sensation. Here we aim to test the assumption that the brain’s sensory perception is different in individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity. We used a German version of the Highly Sensitive Person scale to measure sensory processing sensitivity. Furthermore, we assessed the Big Five personality dimensions and trait empathy (using IRI). To test the hypothesis that the brain’s handling of sensory information is different in individuals with high sensory-processing sensitivity, we scanned participant’s brain activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they were touched by an experimenter’s hand. Results showed positive correlations of sensory processing sensitivity with neuroticism, openness, and empathy. Introversion was not a significant predictor. Neuroimaging data demonstrated that sensory processing sensitivity (controlled for associated personality dimensions) was not related to primary or secondary somatosensory BOLD responses, but positively associated with BOLD activity in left posterior insular cortex. Based on these results we conclude that sensory processing sensitivity seems to represent insula-mediated affective touch. We discuss these results with previous studies reporting an engagement of the insula in individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity.

The temperament trait of environmental sensitivity is associated with connectedness to nature and affinity to animals

Heightened sensitivity to the environment characterizes approximately 30% of the population and is associated with a higher reactivity, positive or negative, to the surrounding environment. Little attention has been devoted to study the association between this trait and the response to nature and animals, despite the potential benefits of the natural environment for highly sensitive individuals. In the present two studies (N = 241, 83% female, age M = 37.43, SD = 13.5; N = 144, 92% female, age M = 39.9, SD = 13.1) we assessed the association of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), measured with the Highly Sensitive Person scale, with nature and animal affinity. In both studies, we found SPS to predict higher connectedness to nature. In addition, whilst there was no association between high SPS and attachment to pets in Study 1, in Study 2 SPS was predictive of a higher animal affinity, assessed in terms of stewardship and protection of animals. The present studies provide the first quantitative empirical evidence that highly sensitive individuals are more connected with nature and animals, therefore opening the possibility to explore nature based solutions to improve the quality of life in individuals scoring high in SPS.

감각처리민감성이 대학생의 우울에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity, social support, and depression of university students, and to confirm the moderating effect of social support in the effect of sensory processing sensitivity on university students’ depression. And this study is to provide a intervention to reduce depression in unversity sudents.&#x0D; Methods The data collected from 248 university students located in G City, and statistical analysis was performed through the SPSS 27.0 program. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to confirm the characteristics of study subjects and variables, correlation analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between variables, and hierarchical regression analysis was performed to confirm the moderating effect of social support.&#x0D; Results First, sensory processing sensitivity and depression showed positive correlation, and social support and depression showed negative correlation. Second, the moderating effect of social support was confirmed in the effect of sensory processing sensitivity on depression.&#x0D; Conclusions This study suggests the need for an environmental intervention that can enhance social support as well as a counseling intervention based on an understanding of sensory processing sensitivity for university students who can easily become depressed due to high sensory processing sensitivity.&#x0D; &#x0D;

감각처리민감성이 대학생의 우울에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity, social support, and depression of university students, and to confirm the moderating effect of social support in the effect of sensory processing sensitivity on university students’ depression. And this study is to provide a intervention to reduce depression in unversity sudents.&#x0D; Methods The data collected from 248 university students located in G City, and statistical analysis was performed through the SPSS 27.0 program. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to confirm the characteristics of study subjects and variables, correlation analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between variables, and hierarchical regression analysis was performed to confirm the moderating effect of social support.&#x0D; Results First, sensory processing sensitivity and depression showed positive correlation, and social support and depression showed negative correlation. Second, the moderating effect of social support was confirmed in the effect of sensory processing sensitivity on depression.&#x0D; Conclusions This study suggests the need for an environmental intervention that can enhance social support as well as a counseling intervention based on an understanding of sensory processing sensitivity for university students who can easily become depressed due to high sensory processing sensitivity.&#x0D; &#x0D;

The role of sensory processing sensitivity in the longitudinal associations between relationship qualities with parents and peers and externalizing behavior in adolescence

Some adolescents may be more likely to be influenced by parents and peers in their development of externalizing behavior than others. Recent research indicates that sensory processing sensitivity may underlie such differences in sensitivity to environmental influences, and specifically that individuals with higher sensory processing sensitivity may be similarly highly reactive to both negative and positive social contexts. Data from a two-wave, two-year longitudinal questionnaire study with 177 adolescents ( M age = 13.34 years, SD age = 1.05) were used to test the hypothesis that the associations between negative relationship quality with parents and best friend and later increased adolescents’ externalizing behavior and between support from parents and best friend and later decreased adolescents’ externalizing behavior would be stronger for adolescents with higher sensory processing sensitivity. Our hypothesis was partly confirmed, with results showing that a stronger negative relationship quality with best friend was only predictive of a subsequent increase in externalizing behavior for adolescents who scored higher on sensory processing sensitivity. More research is needed to investigate whether sensory processing sensitivity functions as a trait that is associated with increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli regardless of valence, especially in the context of negative and positive social exposures such as peer and parent environments.

Sensory processing sensitivity behavior moderates the association between environmental harshness, unpredictability, and child socioemotional functioning.

Building on Ellis et al.'s theorization for potent dimensions of environmental adversity, the present work sought to evaluate how environmental harshness and unpredictability might function directly and in interaction with child sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) to shape the development of child socioemotional functioning. Participants were 235 young children (Mage = 2.97 at the first measurement occasion) and their parents, who were followed for two consecutive annual measurement occasions. Child SPS was measured through behavioral observation across multiple tasks within the laboratory setting. Greater environmental unpredictability was significantly associated with the development of children's externalizing problems over a year only for children with high SPS. Follow-up analyses indicated that the unpredictability-x-SPS interaction was consistent with differential susceptibility, such that high SPS children showed greater increases in externalizing problems under high unpredictability, but also lower increases/greater decreases in externalizing problems under low unpredictability. Such association did not apply to children with low SPS.