Highly Sensitive People
What the Latest Research Says
Do you know a child who . . .
startles easily?
learns better from a gentle correction than strong punishment?
is hard to get to sleep after an exciting day?
notices the distress of others?
feels things deeply?
asks deep, thought-provoking questions?
is bothered by noisy places?
prefers quiet play?
complains about scratchy clothing, seams in socks, or labels against his or her skin?
Do you know an adult who . . .
is easily overwhelmed by bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens close by?
easily recognizes what others are feeling?
notices and enjoys delicate scents, tastes or sounds?
is deeply moved by art or music?
likes deep conversations?
These are just a few of the most common characteristics of a trait called sensory processing sensitivity. You can take the full child test or the full adult test.
An individual with sensory processing sensitivity is also known as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). An estimated 20% to 30% of the population shares this trait.
Six aspects comprise sensory processing sensitivity:1
overstimulation
sensitivity to positive experiences
social sensitivity
depth of processing
emotional reactivity
sensitivity to details
Compelling studies from the past several years paint an intricate portrait of HSPs. For brevity’s sake, I’ll use the word ‘typical’ to refer to individuals who don’t have sensory processing sensitivity. This does not imply that they’re typical in all ways.
Psychological symptoms
In a study published this month, researchers in Poland found an association between elevated cortisol, perceived stress, and sensory processing sensitivity.
A US study published last October found sensory processing sensitivity to be significantly correlated with depression. This association was shown to be stronger at higher levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
In a 2021 study, Turkish researchers found that sensory processing sensitivity plays a mediating role between childhood trauma and adult psychological symptoms.
In a study published last September, researchers in India found a correlation between stress, anxiety and depression and sensory processing sensitivity (p < 0.001). Paradoxically, they found that HSPs disengage from their emotions more than typical people (p < 0.001). Furthermore, they found that HSPs engage with problems less than typical people (p < 0.05). The researchers encouraged active strategies of mindfulness, boundary setting, and self care.
A study published in 2020 looked at 157 mostly Australian participants. It found that HSPs with depression and anxiety consistently exhibited less acceptance of negative emotions than HSPs without depression and anxiety. The researchers recommended emotional regulation techniques including acceptance of undesired emotions.
Compassion fatigue
A study published this January found a significant effect of sensory processing sensitivity on compassion fatigue in China. For highly sensitive ICU nurses, perceived stress and perceived social support mediated the level of compassion fatigue. The researchers concluded, "Clinical managers should focus on providing a comprehensive support system for ICU nurses to help them cope with compassion fatigue."
Creativity and empathy
In a study published this January, researchers in the Netherlands found a significant association between sensory processing sensitivity and creativity and empathy.
Burnout
In a study published last November, researchers in Poland found that highly sensitive dentists have a higher risk of burnout than their typical counterparts.
In a 2023 study, Spanish researchers looked at 3180 workers in the fields of hospitality, healthcare, education, and management. They found a significant association between sensory processing sensitivity and poorer quality of professional life, namely burnout and compassion fatigue. The researchers called for less stressful working conditions.
A 2023 study in France and Belgium found that highly sensitive speech-language therapists were more vulnerable to burnout than their typical colleagues. The researchers suggested mindfulness and art appreciation as coping strategies.
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
A Norwegian study published last November found a significant association between sensory processing sensitivity and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. (This refers to sensitivity to the fields generated by mobile phones, mobile phone towers, wireless networks, Blue Tooth connections, and Smart Meters).
Sleep
In a survey of 800 adults published last September, researchers in Spain and the USA found a correlation between sensory processing sensitivity and stress, poor sleep, and worse health.
Environmental stewardship
In a study published last year, Canadian researchers found that HSPs felt more connected to nature and more compelled to protect the environment than typical individuals.
Pharmacology dosage
In 2024 study, researchers in the USA and Germany found significant correlations between sensory processing sensitivity and overreactions to medications.
Electroencephalography (EEG) scans
In a 2023 study, neuroscientists in Germany discovered that while resting with eyes open, HSPs exhibit significantly greater EEG activity in the central, parietal, and temporal regions of their brains than do typical participants. The researchers speculated that this indicates greater quantities of information processing.
Gastrointestinal distress
In a 2022 study of 863 Japanese adults, highly sensitive participants were significantly more likely than typical participants to suffer from reflux, indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
Children
In a study published in 2018, researchers in Italy and the UK found that an anti-bullying intervention was more effective on highly sensitive children than on typical children.
A 2023 study in China made an analogy of highly sensitive children as orchids. Compared to other flowers, orchids are not as hardy. However, with the proper care, they thrive. As such, the study recommended that caregivers strive to provide a protective and supportive environment for children’s growth.
TL;DR
As you can see from these studies, HSPs have treasures to contribute to the world. Unfortunately, modern society is taking its toll on our mental and physical health. Fortunately, as described in the first part of this two-part series, the right habits can help us to lead purposeful lives.
References
Benham, G. Adverse childhood experiences moderate the association between sensory processing sensitivity and depression. Curr Psychol 43, 33141–33144 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06847-z
Bordarie, J., & Mourtialon, C. (2023). Study of the Relationship between Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Burnout Syndrome among Speech and Language Therapists. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(23), 7132. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20237132
Brindle, K., Moulding, R., Bakker, K., & Nedeljkovic, M. (2015). Is the relationship between sensory‐processing sensitivity and negative affect mediated by emotional regulation? Australian Journal of Psychology, 67(4), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12084
Chacón, A., Avargues-Navarro, M. L., Pérez-Chacón, M., & Borda-Mas, M. (2023). Occupational Psychosocial Risks and Quality of Professional Life in Service Sector Workers with Sensory Processing Sensitivity. Behavioral Sciences, 13(6), 496. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13060496
Costa-López, B., Ruiz-Robledillo, N., Moreno, O. et al. Sensory processing sensitivity as a predictor of health-related quality of life outcomes via stress and sleep quality. Sci Rep 14, 22707 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72657-9
Fernandes, L., Panwar, N. Sensory processing sensitivity in relation to coping strategies: exploring the mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress. Discov Psychol 4, 112 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00214-6
Golonka, K., Gulla, B., Kościelniak, D. et al. Sensory processing sensitivity in adult dental patients and its relation to perceived stress, cortisol, and serotonin secretion. Sci Rep 15, 7328 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90263-1
Holzer, J. M., Dale, G., & Baird, J. (2024). People with sensory processing sensitivity connect strongly to nature across five dimensions. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2024.2341493
Iimura, S., & Takasugi, S. (2022). Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Japanese Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 9893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169893
Jagiellowicz, J. et al. (2024). The relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and medication sensitivity: A brief report. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1320695
Karaca Dinç, P., Oktay, S. & Durak Batıgün, A. Mediation role of alexithymia, sensory processing sensitivity and emotional-mental processes between childhood trauma and adult psychopathology: a self-report study. BMC Psychiatry 21, 508 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03532-4
Laros-van Gorkom, B. A. P. et al (2025). Relationships of sensory processing sensitivity with creativity and empathy in an adult sample. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1465407
Meinersen-Schmidt, N. et al. (2023). Neurophyisiological signatures of sensory-processing sensitivity. Frontiers In Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200962
Nocentini, A., Menesini, E., & Pluess, M. The Personality Trait of Environmental Sensitivity Predicts Children’s Positive Response to School-Based Antibullying Intervention. Clinical Psychological Science, 2018, 6(6): 848–859
Pluess, M., Aron, E., Kähkönen, J. E., Lionetti, F., Huang, Y., Tillmann, T., Greven, C., & Aron, A. (2024). Evolution of the Concept of Sensitivity and its Measurement: The Highly Sensitive Person Scale-Revised. PsyArXiv. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/w7bqu
Pszczółkowska, B., Retowski, S. (2024). Job burnout among Polish dentists: the role of sensory processing sensitivity and emotional intelligence. Int J Occup Med Environ Health., 37(5), 524-534. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02488
Shi, Jiaqi et al. Sensory processing sensitivity and compassion fatigue in intensive care unit nurses: A chain mediation model. Australian Critical Care, Volume 38, Issue 1, 101089
Watten, R., Volden, F., & Visnes Tra, H. (2024). Sensory processing sensitivity, and not gender, drivers electromagnetic sensitivity and nature connection. Ecopsychology. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/eco.2024.0027
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