How Sensitivity Shapes Our Reactions to Life’s Highs and Lows 

Background

We all experience the world differently. Some of us react strongly to a stressful day, while others seem to sail through unscathed. But what about our reactions to positive events? Recent research has shown that heightened environmental sensitivity—the way we process and respond to stimuli in our environment—can make us more vulnerable to stress. It can also mean we’re more likely to benefit from positive experiences. Our research looked into these dual aspects of sensitivity and how they shape our emotional well-being.

Understanding the dual nature of environmental sensitivity

We wanted to find out how people with high environmental sensitivity respond to both negative and positive experiences (1). Our goal was to see whether more sensitive individuals are not only more affected by stress but also more likely to experience bigger boosts in happiness when exposed to something positive.

From teacher trainees to video experiments: how we tested sensitivity

We conducted two studies to explore sensitivity in different contexts. In the first study, we focused on 110 teacher trainees going through their first year of teaching—a period known for its high stress. Participants completed the HSP-12 scale (a short version of the Highly Sensitive Person scale) before their first teaching experience and then rated their well-being at six points over ten months. We used the statistical approach of latent growth curve modelling to track changes in their well-being over time.

In the second study, we recruited 80 psychology students for a mood induction experiment. Participants first completed the brief version of the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) scale and then watched a three-minute uplifting video featuring acts of kindness. We asked them to rate their positive mood before and after watching the video, using a visual analogue scale to measure the change in mood. We used mixed-effects regression models to analyse the data and see whether higher sensitivity predicted a stronger increase in mood.

Highly sensitive individuals feel stress more but also gain more from positive experiences

In our study with the teacher trainees, we found that those who scored higher on the HSP-12 scale experienced a significant drop in well-being during the first few months of teaching, when the job was at its most stressful. Interestingly, towards the end of the school year, their well-being had fully recovered, indicating that sensitive individuals might struggle more initially but can adapt and bounce back over time (See Figure 1). In contrast, those with low sensitivity showed little change in well-being throughout the year, suggesting they were more resilient to the stressful environment and didn’t experience the emotional lows of their more sensitive peers.

In the second study, we saw a similar pattern in response to positive experiences. While all participants reported feeling happier after watching the video, those who scored higher on the sensitivity scale showed a much greater increase in positive mood (see Figure 2). This suggests that highly sensitive people are not only more affected by negativeituations but also more likely to benefit from positive ones. It confirms what we call Vantage Sensitivity (2)—sensitive individuals don’t just face more challenges, they also stand to gain more from uplifting experiences.

Understanding sensitivity can help shape mental health support

These findings offer valuable insights into how we can better support mental health. For highly sensitive individuals, negative experiences—such as high-stress jobs or difficult life events—can take a heavier toll, but with the right support, they likely recover and thrive. Knowing this, employers, teachers, and therapists might consider creating more supportive environments where sensitive individuals can feel less overwhelmed and are given time to adapt. This could be as simple as offering extra mentorship during challenging periods or providing access to positive, enriching experiences like mindfulness or art-based activities.

On the flip side, our research also highlights that sensitive people are more likely to benefit from positive experiences. Whether it’s showing acts of kindness or offering words of encouragement, sensitive individuals may find these moments have a stronger impact on their overall well-being. This means that when we invest in mental health programmes or facilitate positive experiences—in the workplace, in schools, or even in our personal relationships—we’re likely to see a greater return in those with heightened sensitivity.

Our research underscores the importance of recognizing individual differences in how people respond to their environment. Sensitivity isn’t simply a weakness, it’s a trait that, when nurtured, can lead to profound growth and well-being. Understanding how sensitivity works will open up new avenues for promoting mental health and well-being, especially for those who feel the world a little more deeply than others.

In conclusion, sensitivity to the environment plays a powerful role in shaping our emotional responses. By identifying and supporting those with higher sensitivity, we can help individuals navigate challenges and maximize their potential for positive growth.