Juodytė, Morta

Background: Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a trait reflecting heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, deep cognitive processing, and strong emotional responses. It is hypothesized that SPS may also influence individuals‘ responses to stress. The aim. To obtaine preliminary data about the relationship between SPS and cognitively enhanced stress responses. Methods: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, this preliminary study involved 20 participants (9 females; mean age 26 years) recruited through convenience sampling. Each participant completed two experimental sessions, using counterbalanced design, which included a computerized Stroop task conducted under cognitive stress and control conditions. During these sessions, heart rate (HR), subjective stress levels, and task performance metrics (reaction time and error rates) were monitored. SPS was assessed using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS). Results: The findings revealed statistically significant changes in all stress responses during the stress-inducing condition, including a 4.5% increase in heart rate per minute, a 2-point rise in self-reported stress levels, a 36% reduction in Stroop reaction time, and an increase in errors (p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant relationships were found between HSPS and changes in these stress responses (p > 0.05). Finally, individuals with higher sensory sensitivity made fewer errors during the Stroop task even under stress conditions. Conclusion: SPS was not directly related to physiological or subjective stress indicators; however, higher SPS was associated with better cognitive performance even under stress conditions.

Įvadas. Depresija ir nerimas yra vieni iš labiausiai paplitusių psichikos sutrikimų visame pasaulyje. Stresas, nesvarbu, ar jis būtų lėtinis, ar ūmus, vaidina svarbų vaidmenį šių būklių atsiradime ir paūmėjime. Tyrinėjimas, kaip depresija ir nerimas yra susiję su asmenų reakciją į stresą, gali suteikti įžvalgų apie pagrindinius šių sutrikimų mechanizmus. Taigi, pagrindinis šio tyrimo tikslas buvo įvertinti sąsajas tarp nerimo, depresiškumo ir reakcijos į sukeltą kognityvinį stresą. Metodai. Šiame kvazieksperimente dalyvavo 20 dalyvių (45 % moterų; amžiaus vidurkis 25,80, SN = 7,35), buvo taikomas mažų imčių dizainas bandymų replikavimu „grupės viduje“. Kiekvienam dalyviui buvo taikomi du tiriamieji poveikiai: Stroop užduoties atlikimas be laiko matavimo (palyginamasis poveikis) ir Stroop užduoties atlikimas per laiką (streso poveikis). Nerimas ir depresiškumas buvo vertinti naudojant atitinkamai Generalizuoto nerimo skalę 2 (GAD-2) ir Paciento sveikatos klausimyną–2 (PHQ-2). Kiekvieno poveikio metu buvo vertinami tiriamųjų atsako į stresą rodikliai: širdies susitraukimų dažnis (matuojamas naudojant biologinio grįžtamojo ryšio aparatą), subjektyvus streso įvertinimas (pagal klausimyną) ir dėmesio produktyvumu (Stroop užduotis). Rezultatai.Vidutinis PHQ-2 įvertis siekė 2,20 (SN=1,59), o GAD-2 1,85 (SN=1,29). Rezultatai parodė, kad GAD-2 skalės suminis įvertis statistiškai reikšmingai teigiamai koreliavo su tiriamųjų širdies susitraukimo dažniu tiek palyginamo poveikio (rho=0,33 p=0,035), ir streso poveikio metu (r=0,39; p=0,012). Nors eksperimento sąlygomis sukeltas stresas statistiškai reikšmingai padidino tiriamųjų širdies susitraukimo dažnį, subjektyvų streso įvertį bei padidino dėmesio produktyvumą (p<0,001), vis tik stebimi pokyčiai nebuvo reikšmingai susiję su tiriamųjų depresiškumu ir nerimu (p>0,05).Išvada.Nustatyta, kad kitaip nei depresiškumas, nerimas turėjo ryšį su širdies veikla, daugiau nerimo patiriančių tiriamųjų širdies susitraukimų dažnis buvo aukštesnis. Vis tik nei nerimo, nei depresijos rodikliai neturėjo reikšmingos įtakos tiriamųjų atsakui į stresą -t.y. rodiklių pokyčiui.

Introduction. Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait characterized by heightened central nervous system reactivity and deeper cognitive processing of physical, social, and emotional stimuli. As a result, individuals with higher SPS levels are generally expected to display heightened responsiveness to stressors. The aim of the present study is to examine how SPS influences various stress responses when individuals are subjected to induced cognitive stress. Methods. Twenty participants (45% females; age mean 25.80, SD = 7.35) participated in this quasi-experiment, utilizing a counterbalanced small-N “within-group” design with replication. Two conditions for each participant were applied: untimed Stroop task performance (comparison effect) and timed Stroop task performance (stress effect). Sensory processing sensitivity was assessed using the Highly Sensitive Persons Scale (HSPS). In each condition, various stress responses were assessed: heart rate (measured through a biofeedback apparatus), subjective stress evaluation (via questionnaire), and cognitive performance (Stroop task). Results. The mean score of HSPS in the sample was 114.95 (SD = 26.51). While the stress condition induced significant changes in stress responses (p < 0.001), the HSPS score was not significantly related to participants’ heart rate or subjective stress evaluation, nor their changes (p > 0.05). Additionally, sensory processing sensitivity was only partially related to cognitive performance during Stroop task, as individuals with higher sensory processing sensitivity made fewer errors during comparison (Rho = 0.32; p = 0.043) and stress exposures (Rho = 0.49; p = 0.004). However, these associations did not extend to the mean reaction time or the number of response failures, as they did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that while sensory processing sensitivity may not directly impact physiological stress responses, it does seem to influence cognitive performance, particularly in tasks requiring focused attention.