Subjective Sensitivity to Exteroceptive and Interoceptive processing in Highly Sensitive Person.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Processing Research

Background:

• The concept of the highly sensitive person (HSP) describes individuals with greater sensory processing sensitivity (SPS).
• HSP traits include heightened responses to stimuli and deeper processing of sensory information.
• Understanding how SPS relates to exteroceptive (external stimuli) and interoceptive (internal body signals) processing is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) levels and sensitivity in exteroceptive and interoceptive sensory domains.
• To clarify the extent to which SPS influences the perception of external sensory input versus internal bodily states.

Main Methods:

• Data were collected from 600 Japanese adults.
• The Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) assessed SPS levels.
• The Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (GSQ) and Body Perception Questionnaire-Short Form (BPQ-SF) measured exteroceptive and interoceptive sensitivity, respectively.

Main Results:

• SPS levels, measured by HSPS, showed a significant positive correlation with hypersensitivity scores in multiple exteroceptive sensory domains (GSQ).
• SPS levels were also positively correlated with interoceptive awareness (BPQ-SF), but this association was notably less pronounced.
• These findings indicate a stronger link between SPS and external sensory hypersensitivity than internal bodily awareness.

Conclusions:

• Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) significantly reflects subjective hypersensitivity to a wide range of exteroceptive sensory stimuli.
• The association between SPS and interoceptive sensory processing appears to be limited, suggesting a more specialized impact on external perception.
• The study highlights that SPS primarily influences how individuals perceive and react to the external sensory environment.