Are Highly Sensitive People More Stressed? Here’s What the Evidence Says

Study background

Picture yourself on a crowded train during rush hour. The hum of conversations, the screech of wheels on tracks, the crowd, and all sorts of odors, images and sounds bombarding you—does this feel overwhelming? Or do you find it easy to tune out the stimulation around you and get comfortable in these sensory-dense environments?

Individual differences in how we perceive and manage sensory inputs seem to contribute to the stress levels people experience. In this study (1), we were interested to examine the evidence linking sensory processing sensitivity to stress, and evaluate the quality of this evidence.

In particular, this systematic review draws on two models: the Environmental Sensitivity framework (2) and Dunn’s model of sensory processing (3).

• Dunn’s model of sensory processing captures two dimensions: the subjective neurological threshold and the individual’s self-regulation ability. These dimensions are measured with the Adult and Adolescent Sensory Profile.
• The Environmental Sensitivity framework, and especially the Sensory Processing Sensitivity theory, encompasses three dimensions: sensory thresholds, ease of excitation in response to sensory stimuli, and aesthetic sensitivity. Sensory Processing Sensitivity is measured with the Highly Sensitive Person Scale(4).

While Dunn’s model focuses on sensory perception and attention, the Sensory Processing Sensitivity model captures other dimensions as well, such as empathy and depth of processing. Our systematic review aimed at synthesizing and evaluating the evidence for the relationship between sensory processing and stress in the adult population.

Method

The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42023412150) to promote transparency and reproducibility. We conducted comprehensive searches across five databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Following recommendations for capturing the most relevant studies, we included the first 200 results from Google Scholar. In addition, backward and forward citation searches supplemented the database results to ensure thorough coverage.

Eligible studies included:

• Quantitative research studies using validated psychometric tools for sensory processing and stress
• Qualitative studies explicitly referencing both constructs
• Mixed-method studies

For data extraction, a detailed template was created to standardize information collection across the studies. The extracted data included the authorship details, publication year, geographical location, study objectives, design, population characteristics, participant numbers, analytical approaches, and key findings relevant to the association between sensory processing and stress.

Studies underwent critical appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT, version 2018). This tool evaluated the quality of included studies against five criteria, and scores ranged from one to five stars.

Key Findings

The  review revealed a consistent association between sensory processing and elevated levels of stress in adults.

Overall, individuals with higher sensory sensitivity, as measured by the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Scale, reported moderate to high correlations with various stress measures, such as the Perceived Stress Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).

These findings were observed across diverse populations, including clinical groups and general workers, highlighting the widespread relevance of sensory processing to stress.

However, most of the studies were cross-sectional, raising the need for longitudinal research.

What does this mean?

In practical terms, this means that those who are more sensitive to sensory stimuli tend to be more stressed than those who are less sensitive. This highlights the importance of considering sensory processing sensitivity as a potential risk factor for stress in both clinical and everyday settings.

Main Contribution

This study provides systematic evidence for an association between sensory processing sensitivity and stress in adults and constitutes a solid foundation for studies aiming at stress prevention or reduction.

Future Research

Our findings emphasise the need for longitudinal studies that follow people over time and allow us to determine whether, all other factors considered, those with higher environmental sensitivity will become more stressed.

It is also important to consider what may prevent stress in highly sensitive individuals, including connecting with nature (5) or practicing mindfulness (6). Exploring these and other protective factors could shift the perception from high sensitivity representing a vulnerability to reflecting a strength.