Sensory processing sensitivity

Abstract

The main aim of this review article is to describe the sensory processing sensitivity trait (SPS). People with this trait are highly sensitive individuals and the pertinent literature states that they make up 20% to 30% of the general population. The paper outlines the theories that originally explained the high sensitivity of a certain segment of the population, the results of the studies that explored the discriminant validity of the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, the studies that examined the relationships between the SPS trait and personality dimensions, and the studies on the quality of mental health of highly sensitive individuals. Although there is an increasing number of studies on highly sensitive people worldwide, this has not been the case in our region. Consequently, experts (psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists) in Serbia and the region are largely unfamiliar with this trait. Hence, it is possible to confuse the SPS trait with a personality dimension (neuroticism, introversion, shyness, etc.) or to diagnose a disorder in highly sensitive individuals (autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc.). In addition, a very large number of newspaper articles on various internet portals about highly sensitive people may imply that high sensitivity in our region is only described through the lens of popular psychology. All this can lead to a misunderstanding of this scientific construct. Considering that the literature indicates that approximately a quarter of the general population is highly sensitive, it is extremely important that professionals become more familiar with the sensory processing sensitivity trait.

Keywords

• sensory processing sensitivity
• highly sensitive people
• personality dimensions
• mental health