Experiences of adults high in the personality trait sensory processing sensitivity: A qualitative study
Publication year
2021Number of pages
17 p.
Source
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10, 21, (2021), article 4912ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
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Organization
Health Evidence
SW OZ BSI OLO
Cognitive Neuroscience
Journal title
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Volume
vol. 10
Issue
iss. 21
Languages used
English (eng)
Subject
Learning and Plasticity; Radboudumc 7: Neurodevelopmental disorders DCMN: Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience; Radboudumc 7: Neurodevelopmental disorders RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Cognitive Neuroscience - Radboud University Medical Center; Radboud University Medical CenterAbstract
Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait reflecting inter-individual differences in sensitivity to negative and positive environmental information. Being high in SPS is associated with increased stress-related problems if environments are unfavourable but also appears to enhance one’s ability to benefit from health-promoting environments. In understanding SPS, therefore, lies the potential for innovating the ways we use to promote mental health. However, as a young research field, the core characteristics of SPS are yet debated. Qualitative research interviewing highly sensitive adults is important to conduct ecologically valid research connected with the complex realities of people. This study was the first to systematically report the perceptions and experiences of SPS characteristics in adults high in this trait. Semi-structured interviews (n = 26) were analysed thematically and described following consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Six themes emerged: (1) emotional responding; (2) relatedness to others; (3) thinking; (4) overstimulation; (5) perceiving details; and (6) global SPS characteristics. With regards to coping with negative consequences of high SPS, the main themes were: (1) reducing sensory input and (2) psychological strategies. We gained fine-grained information on experiences of adults high in SPS and derived new hypotheses regarding the fostering of well-being related to high SPS.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [245400]
- Electronic publications [132943]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [93207]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [30349]
- Open Access publications [106464]
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