High sensitivity groups with distinct personality patterns: a person-centered perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Individual Differences
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS) describes individual differences in response to stimuli, reflecting differential susceptibility.
• The Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) measures SPS, but its total score obscures nuanced profiles.
• Heterogeneity among highly sensitive individuals suggests a need for person-centered approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore heterogeneity within the highly sensitive population using a person-centered approach.
• To identify distinct latent profiles of sensory-processing sensitivity.
• To describe these profiles using the Five-Factor Model of personality.

Main Methods:

• A three-step Latent Profile Analysis was conducted on two independent German-speaking samples (N=1,102; N=526).
• The Five-Factor Model of personality was used to characterize the identified latent sensitivity groups.

Main Results:

• A four-class model emerged, differentiating two distinct high-sensitivity groups beyond a general quantitative distinction.
• The 'Confident Sensitivity Group' showed average Neuroticism, high Openness, and above-average Extraversion.
• The 'Vulnerable Sensitivity Group' exhibited high Neuroticism, low Extraversion, and above-average Openness, with differing personality traits like giftedness and aesthetics.

Conclusions:

• Interindividual differences within the highly sensitive population are significant and warrant consideration in future research.
• Future studies should investigate the differential associations of these sensitivity profiles with various outcomes.
• Acknowledging distinct sensitivity groups can prevent over- or underestimation of sensitivity effects.