"Effects of sensory processing sensitivity, well-being, and stress on expatriates’ turnover intention"

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.

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The functional highly sensitive brain: a review of the brain circuits underlying sensory processing sensitivity and seemingly related disorders

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2017.0161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 373 (1744) ◽

pp. 20170161 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Bianca Acevedo ◽

Elaine Aron ◽

Sarah Pospos ◽

Dana Jessen

Keyword(s):

Sensory Processing ◽

Well Being ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Reward Processing ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Clinical Disorders ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity ◽

Deep Integration

During the past decade, research on the biological basis of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS)—a genetically based trait associated with greater sensitivity and responsivity to environmental and social stimuli—has burgeoned. As researchers try to characterize this trait, it is still unclear how SPS is distinct from seemingly related clinical disorders that have overlapping symptoms, such as sensitivity to the environment and hyper-responsiveness to incoming stimuli. Thus, in this review, we compare the neural regions implicated in SPS with those found in fMRI studies of—Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Schizophrenia (SZ) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to elucidate the neural markers and cardinal features of SPS versus these seemingly related clinical disorders. We propose that SPS is a stable trait that is characterized by greater empathy, awareness, responsivity and depth of processing to salient stimuli. We conclude that SPS is distinct from ASD, SZ and PTSD in that in response to social and emotional stimuli, SPS differentially engages brain regions involved in reward processing, memory, physiological homeostasis, self-other processing, empathy and awareness. We suggest that this serves species survival via deep integration and memory for environmental and social information that may subserve well-being and cooperation. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Diverse perspectives on diversity: multi-disciplinary approaches to taxonomies of individual differences’.

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Trait sensory-processing sensitivity and subjective well-being: Distinctive associations for different aspects of sensitivity

Personality and Individual Differences ◽

10.1016/j.paid.2015.03.045 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

pp. 44-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Karin Sobocko ◽

John M. Zelenski

Keyword(s):

Sensory Processing ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity

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Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Pathways to Depression and Aggression: The Mediating Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making Style—A Pilot Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413202 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13202

Author(s):

Nikola Drndarević ◽

Sonja Protić ◽

José M. Mestre

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Community Sample ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Trait Emotional Intelligence ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity

While the link between sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS) and internalizing symptoms has been well-established, a link to externalizing problems is still to be explored. This study aimed to further examine the relation between SPS and behavioral problems by testing the potential mediating roles of trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and decision-making styles. Pathway analyses were conducted on data from 268 community sample participants (Mage = 25.81, SD = 2.41, 61.2% females). Results indicated gender differences in the pathway level outcomes of SPS, as well as potential partial mediators in men and women. SPS both directly and via the mediating effects of the well-being factor (TEI) and avoidant decision-making influenced depression, regardless of gender. Direct effects on aggression were, however, obtained only in the male sample. Indirect effects of SPS on aggression were found in spontaneous decision-making for men and in the self-control and sociability factors of TEI for women. Directions for future research were discussed.

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Sensory-processing Sensitivity and Pathways to Depression and Aggression: The Mediating Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence and Decision-making Style. A Pilot Study.

10.20944/preprints202111.0423.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nikola Drndarevic ◽

Sonja Protic ◽

Jose M Mestre

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Decision Making ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Community Sample ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Trait Emotional Intelligence ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity

While the link between Sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS) and internalizing symptoms has been well-established, a link to externalizing problems is still to be explored. This study aimed to further examine the relation between SPS and behavioral problems by testing the potential mediating roles of trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and decision-making styles. Pathway analyses were conducted on data from 268 community sample participants (Mage= 25.81, SD=2.41, 61.2% females). Results indicated gender differences in the pathway level outcomes of SPS, as well as potential partial mediators in men and women. SPS both directly and via the mediating effects of well-being factor (TEI) and avoidant decision-making influenced depression, regardless of gender. Direct effects on aggression were, however, obtained only in the male sample. Indirect effects of SPS on aggression were found in spontaneous decision-making for men, and in self-control and sociability factors of TEI for women. Directions for future research were discussed. sensory-processing sensitivity, depression, aggression, emotional intelligence, decision-making style, gender differences

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Individual Differences and Susceptibility to Burnout Syndrome: Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Exhaustion and Disengagement

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Krystyna Golonka ◽

Bożena Gulla

Keyword(s):

Work Environment ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Emotional Reactivity ◽

Protective Factor ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Well Being ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity ◽

Sensitive Person

The aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and occupational burnout. This analysis makes it possible to explore the problem of sensitivity as a predictor of burnout syndrome and to discuss adequate coping strategies in the work environment to improve employee well-being. The sample consists of 516 employees (236 women; Mage = 28.97, SD = 6.62 years). The Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS; 27 items) was used to measure sensory processing sensitivity; the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI; 16 items) was used to measure exhaustion and disengagement from work. The analysis of sensitivity is based on the ‘DOES’ model of a highly sensitive person, which includes depth of processing (D), overstimulation (O), emotional reactivity and empathy (E), and sensing the subtle (S). Burnout due to exhaustion and disengagement is analyzed. The factor analysis of the HSPS confirms its three-factor structure. The results indicate significant relationships between sensory processing sensitivity and burnout symptoms. However, the influence of specific aspects of sensitivity on the burnout problem varies: the results indicate that higher emotional reactivity is linked to worse burnout symptoms, but sensing the subtle shows the opposite effect and may be a protective factor against exhaustion. Significant gender differences were observed [F(511,1) = 136.63, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.21]; women revealed a significantly higher level of general sensitivity (Mwomen = 4.66, SD = 0.62) as compared to men (Mmen = 4.01; SD = 0.64). Awareness of one’s high sensory-processing sensitivity and its potential outcomes in the work environment may be essential in order to implement appropriate regulatory strategies. Proactive strategies aimed at reducing prolonged emotional overload may be critical for highly sensitive employees. Recognizing high sensitivity may reduce burnout symptoms and improve well-being at work.

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Dispositional Mindfulness Mediates the Relationship Between Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Trait Anxiety, Well-Being, and Psychosomatic Symptoms

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294119841848 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 123 (4) ◽

pp. 1083-1098

Author(s):

Toru Takahashi ◽

Issaku Kawashima ◽

Yusuke Nitta ◽

Hiroaki Kumano

Keyword(s):

Trait Anxiety ◽

Sensory Processing ◽

Well Being ◽

Sensory Threshold ◽

Multiple Mediation ◽

Dispositional Mindfulness ◽

Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽

Sensory Processing Sensitivity ◽

Acting With Awareness ◽

The Relationship

Recent studies have suggested that sensory-processing sensitivity correlates to poor psychological and physical health. However, it remains unclear how this occurs. Sensory-processing sensitivity can be understood as sensitivity to sensations without the presence of intentional awareness and a nonreactive attitude, which are the components of mindfulness. We tested the hypothesis that dispositional mindfulness mediates the relationship between sensory-processing sensitivity and trait anxiety, well-being and psychosomatic symptoms. We analyzed data from 563 participating young adults living in Japan. Multiple mediation analysis showed that the four facets (nonreactivity, nonjudging, describing, and acting with awareness) of mindfulness partially mediated the effects of sub-factors of sensory-processing sensitivity (low sensory threshold and ease of excitation) on trait anxiety. Nonreactivity, describing, and acting with awareness partially mediated the effect of low sensory threshold on well-being and fully mediated the effect of ease of excitation. Nonjudging and acting with awareness partially mediated the effects of low sensory threshold and ease of excitation on psychosomatic symptoms. As a whole, the mediation hypotheses were supported, and it was determined that the improvement of dispositional mindfulness may prove effective for the psychological and physical problems of people with high sensory-processing sensitivity.

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