I am continuing to close the gap between my 2017 report on research of HSPs/SPS (sensory processing sensitivity) and what is being published in 2022. In my last blog, I reported on the recent research and what had come out in 2021. Of course, I am already behind, with the new studies in 2022. But here you will learn about what was published in 2018 and some of what was published in 2019. (I do not want to make these too long.)
In my next blog, I will describe other studies from 2019 and start on those that appeared in 2020. In the blog after that, 2022. If all these dates confuse you, the bottom line is you will eventually have everything. If you are interested in the research and missed the last blog, be sure to read it here. It also had comments on the research in general.
2018 Research
- The Personality Trait of Environmental Sensitivity Predicts Children’s Positive Response to School-Based Antibullying Intervention Citation:
Nocentini, A., Menesini, E., & Pluess, M. (2018). The personality trait of environmental sensitivity predicts children’s positive response to school-based antibullying intervention. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(6), 848-859.
Antibullying interventions in schools work a little, but not a lot. Would it be different if you considered differences in the students? In a study of over two thousand students, grades four through six, researchers gave the HSP Scale designed for children and found that highly sensitive boys with high scores benefited much more from an intervention to reduce bullying than less sensitive boys. That is, according to self-report questionnaires, highly sensitive boys after the program were victimized less and less depressed or anxious. The highly sensitive girls also received more benefit than girls who were not highly sensitive, but the effect was not as great on girls as on boys. One explanation is that highly sensitive boys are more likely to be victimized. All the students in the anti-bullying program were compared to a control group who were not in the program, making it a well-done study.
Bottom Line: If you were bullied as a child, don’t you wish an intervention such as this had been done at your school? If you have anything to do with schools, ask for it to be done! These interventions are not uncommon so there should be no problem. Use the internet to search for tips.
Citation: Lionetti, F., Aron, A., Aron, E. N., Burns, G. L., Jagiellowicz, J., & Pluess, M. (2018 ), Dandelions, tulips and orchids: evidence for the existence of low-sensitive, medium-sensitive and high-sensitive individuals. Translational Psychiatry, 8(1), 24. doi: 10.1038/s41398-017-0090-6
This important study found that HSPs are closer to 30% of the population rather than 20% as we have been saying for years. So far this seems to result in more and more studies. That’s fine. It’s how science progresses, and we will all have to change what we say to match new information that 30% are HSPs. Or as I still prefer, 20% to 30%.
This study also found that people fall into three distinct groups on the HSP Scale. Some of the authors (not myself or Art) decided to name the groups Orchids (30%), Tulips (40%), and Dandelions (30%). I am not so fond of any flower terms for describing the presence or the absence of the trait, given how boys may feel about it. Nonetheless, Orchids and Tulips were the terms coined by Tom Boyce, so that persuaded us to let it pass. Having found this middle group, everyone thought the name Tulips seemed to fit.
Bottom Line: I know 30% will take some getting used to, and I would not worry too much about changing it for now if you have said it or put it in writing.
Citation: Acevedo, B., Aron, E., Pospos, S., & Jessen, D. (2018). 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, 373 (1744), 20170161.
In this study we (mostly Bianca Acevedo) compared studies of the brains of HSPs to studies of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) doing similar tasks. One small problem is that subjects with these disorders were not in a study with HSPs, doing the same tasks. Rather, studies of all four were compared. Nevertheless, it was easy to conclude that HSPs’ brains worked differently (although an HSP could still have any of these disorders— e.g an HSP could also have PTSD.) Note that in the last blog on research that I did for you, the study on “performance in an emotional anti-saccade paradigm” found HSPs were faster on the task, but those diagnosed with schizophrenia, ADHD, or autism had been found in other studies to be slower on this task.
Bottom Line: Should it come up in a conversation that HSPs are simply people with high-functioning autism, studies continue to suggest otherwise.
2019 Research
Citation: Lionetti, F., Aron, E. N., Aron, A., Klein, D. N., & Pluess, M. (2019). Observer-rated environmental sensitivity moderates children’s response to parenting quality in early childhood. Developmental Psychology, 55(11), 2389.
After years of hard work, there is finally a measure of HS in children too young to read. It was created by watching videos of children going through a particular set of activities while being observed by people trained in the method. So, it will not be easy to use unless children are observed in this set of activities.
Developing the measure was possible because we had videos that were part of a study going on over many years of the same children. This kind of “longitudinal” study is a great research method. The videos of the children when they were about three had already been rated for “temperament” (positive and negative, fearful, inhibited) to see how temperament at that age would affect mental health when these children grew up. So, the videos only needed to be re-rated for high sensitivity, which we decided would be rated as present in a child when we saw a mixture of holding back to watch closely at the start of an activity, but not seeming fearful, and then coming forward after a while in a curious, positive way, and being highly cooperative with experimenters.
The second major contribution from this study is regarding differential susceptibility. The HSCs identified at age three using the new measure were more affected at age six by how they had been parented compared to non-HSCs. If they were raised by parents who were “permissive,” as rated when the children were three, they were more likely to have “internalizing problems” (depression, anxiety) when they were six. On the other hand, if raised by “authoritative parents” (considered the best parenting style), sensitive children were more likely at six to be more socially competent than others. So that is a clear example of differential susceptibility—a negative environment leads to a negative result, but a positive environment leads to a positive result, but only for highly sensitive children. Children who were not found to be HSCs were hardly affected by their parenting (no parents in the study were abusive.)
Bottom Line: Just more evidence that HSCs with a good-enough childhood can truly shine. But don’t worry–the other HSCs will do fine with time and maybe some help.
The next study came out in 2021, but is from the same longitudinal study as the one above so I include it here:
5. The role of environmental sensitivity in the development of rumination and depressive symptoms in childhood: a longitudinal study
Citation: Lionetti, F., Klein, D. N., Pastore, M., Aron, E. N., Aron, A., & Pluess, M. (2021). The role of environmental sensitivity in the development of rumination and depressive symptoms in childhood: a longitudinal study. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 1-11.
Just to remind you, in the study above, published earlier, the three-year-olds assessed for sensitivity were tested again at six, and the highly sensitive children with permissive parents had more problems, while those whose parents were using an “authoritative” style demonstrated more social competence than other children.
Now, in this study, with the children aged nine, highly sensitive children with permissive parenting were still doing poorly, although the positive effects of authoritative parenting found at age six did not show up at nine. The sensitive children at nine with permissive parenting scored higher on a questionnaire (the children were now old enough to ask on paper) about how much they ruminated (dwelled on negative thoughts) ) and scoring higher on rumination in turn tended to predict their being depressed at that age and did so to a lesser extent when they were tested again at age twelve. All in all, permissive parenting in this study was a problem for sensitive children. One might wonder whether “permissive” was a sign of parents being indifferent to their children, which sensitive children would notice more than others. Or it could be that sensitive children need active help understanding and regulating their emotions while young, and without that they are more troubled by negative feelings.
Bottom Line: Again, being highly sensitive means that how you were parented affected you more when you were a child and probably still does in adulthood. You might want to consider the type of parent you had: Permissive, authoritative (firm boundaries but listened to you with respect), or authoritarian(simply strict) and consider how this has shaped you.
Citation: Greven, C. U., Lionetti, F., Booth, C., Aron, E. N., Fox, E., Schendan, H. E., … & Homberg, J. (2019). Sensory processing sensitivity in the context of environmental sensitivity: A critical review and development of research agenda. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 98, 287-305.
You have been warned: This is a long, complicated review of all the research. However, it does cover every study up to 2019, and discusses important matters, such as how SPS relates to other theories and other temperament and personality traits, the possible underlying causes of the trait, its “neurobiological mechanisms,” and its relations to various mental and sensory disorders. Good luck!
Bottom Line: There are enough studies now to permit the publication of a lengthy review of the research on HSPs.
As a scientist and HSP, plus parent to an HSP, I value you sharing about the research being conducted on the topic. It not only reinforces the legitimacy of the topic, but also emboldens me to share this framework with mentors in my child’s life to help them navigate it.
I have been scapegoated throughout my life. I’d like a study done on authentic persons va those who lose themselves and target hsp persons. Are we disproportionally targeted by those who’ve lost themselves or those who are not very emotionally intelligent? Seems I express others hidden feelings and get overloaded.
I’m interested in this also and in what HSP’s being authentic and principled may trigger in those with personality disorders, anger issues, controlling behaviours etc, as I’ve regularly been targeted for bullying and control reasons. Is there a higher incidence of triggers towards HSP’s because of perceived strengths (ie jealousy), , or are they seen as weak, over-sensitive and therefore easy targets. My empathy and personality means I find firm boundaries hard to enforce when these occur as I’m so overwhelmed by emotion from the attack. I try to reason and persuade in order to honour my principles and stand up for myself but that seems to make it worse. Is there an effective way to get respect and be left alone I wonder?!
“… what HSP’s being authentic and principled may trigger in those with personality disorders, anger issues, controlling behaviours…”
There are as many reactions to HSPs as there are humans. But one unfortunate trait that humanity seems to share is that much of the human family is put off by anyone who is ‘different’ from them or from a perceived society ‘norm’.
We HSPs demonstrate our ‘differentness’ in some overt ways that are quickly picked up on by the more-predatory types around us. Simple disrespect and bullying is often the result.
“My empathy and personality means I find firm boundaries hard to enforce when these occur as I’m so overwhelmed by emotion from the attack.”
You have to be your strongest and best advocate. No one comes along to protect us.
You must enforce those boundaries both in an outside sense (mitigating the negative outside influence), and in an inner sense (drawing up your own strength and reaffirming the gifts that being HSPs brings you in Life).
“I try to reason and persuade in order to honour my principles and stand up for myself but that seems to make it worse.”
You cannot reason with a predator. You can only keep your shields up and get as far away from them as you can.
“Is there an effective way to get respect and be left alone I wonder?!”
Again, you are the source and pathway. Know that you have enormous value as a person and that others can be resentful of that. Keep your shields up when around that kind of person… and pray for them that they can be a better human being for themselves one day. But it’s not your job to fix them.
You are your own reward.
I was particularly interested in the research paper that showed HSPs divide into three groups based on level of sensitivity. I’d like to find out what group I fall into. Is there any way to do this?
This is fascinating – were it not for my own upbringing and current state of adulthood, I would have thought the exact opposite about HSP children. My own parents were kind but authoritative, and I know now I needed those narrower confines to grow up in. They also home-schooled me, so I was rarely subjected to bullying, and I think that also helped allow me to build my self esteem slowly and solidly. I still have all the HSP traits, but am able to live a fulfilling, positive life at 37 thanks to learning early to regulate my emotions, having a tried and tested belief in my gut feeling, and becoming aware at a young age that it takes me a while to process over-stimulation of any kind.
I was most interested in the study of the 3 distinct groups of HSP’s. My husband is sensitive but not as sensitive as I am. Having levels make sense to me.
Also I would like to comment on the study of parental styles of parenting. My parents did not fit into any of the categories listed. they were totally different. Are there any other studies with different styles of parenting?
Do anyone else have parents that do not fit into these styles?
Thanks for this update on the research,
Sharon
“One explanation is that highly sensitive boys are more likely to be victimized.”
Bullies learn quickly: Pick on the ‘Sensitive Kid’. They are more likely to passively take the abuse and won’t fight back. A predator’s paradise.
HSPs learn at an early age just how much and deeply our environment and other things affect us in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways… and along with that, how much we as HSPs can have an affect on others. A common-sense take on this is that HSPs learn that abusive behaviors are quite damaging and harmful and we do not want to engage in such behaviors. We know how hurtful and long-lasting things we do (and that are done to us) are in our lives and the lives of others. And also, these things can ripple on both in our own lives and in the lives of others for uncounted years.
I’ve come to realize that one thing every HSP-natured person should learn at a young age is some form of martial arts. We need to feel empowered when we are in tough spots and we can learn how to physically protect ourselves better. And also, because no one else is really going to help us in tough spots like kids waiting at a bus stop or in the school when no one in authority is around.
“If you were bullied as a child, don’t you wish an intervention such as this had been done at your school?”
‘Educators’ are too afraid to do anything about this. They are afraid of the work it takes to look in to individual situations and the kids involved. They are afraid of lawsuits from the parents of the kids who bully others who do not want to believe or don’t care that their ‘dear one’ is a bully who harms others.
It’s much easier to sit in paneled offices and work on securing your next pay raise than it is to get involved in the messy and predatory world of bullying.
Perhaps a few would like to intervene… and some may have. But the system does not support these efforts and in fact the system works to allow and encourage bullying behavior. The evidence? Look at any school in America any hour of any day. Or ask your own kids or think back to your own childhood.
“…being highly sensitive means that how you were parented affected you more when you were a child and probably still does in adulthood.”
Any HSP can tell you that EVERYTHING hits us harder in every measure. Sounds, light, conflict, disorder… you name it. So of course, parenting has a more deep affect on us than many others just like any other relationships we had growing up… friends, ‘love crushes’, extended family, encounters with authority figures… again, on and on. All these affect us in profound and life-long ways.
Being an HSP-natured person is a great blessing. But it is a blessing that requires constant care and mitigation with all things around us. We all need to learn for ourselves how to maximize this blessing in our lives.
Is there a way to differentiate whether one is an HSP adult, or someone with high-functioning autism? From a practical standpoint, how does treatment and support differ in the two instances?
I VERY MUCH RELATE, IM SEEING MYSELF IN SO MANY THINGS! I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TODAY, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL U IS THAT OVER THE LAST 6 TO 8 MONTHS IVE BEEN DIGGING INTO CHANGING MY MENTAL MENTAL HEALTH BEHAVIOR! ITS NOT EASY, AND IT CAN BE HARD, BUT ITS WORTH EVERY MINUTE, AND I HAVE MADE SOME POSITIVE CHANGES WITHIN MYSELF.I UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT MYSELF THAN I EVER HAVE….
I am curious, is there any highly sensitive person/animal research being conducted in the physical sciences (cellular biology or neurology)?
For example, a greater density of channels in cell membranes could lead to greater sensitivity to toxins, chemicals, medicines, hormones, etc. This would be the cells in the body of a highly sensitive person requiring lower levels of environmental information to trigger sending signals to the brain. There could possibly also be differences in cell structure or wiring in the brain that causes it to respond to lower level of signals from the body. This though crossed my mind as I was researching epigenetics and mind/body energy healing literature, and this is the best forum I am aware of to ask the question.
Maybe I overlook #6 in the article before I wrote my comment. That article is exactly what I was asking about. Your website is a great resource.