The relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and the big five personality traits

Abstract

Introduction. Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a genetic human characteristic marked by heightened emotional, social, and physical responsiveness to internal and external stimuli. While SPS has gained research attention as an individual difference in sensitivity, its relationship with broader personality dimensions, such as the Big Five traits, remains unclear. This study investigates SPS associations with the Big Five to clarify its role in personality structure. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 441 adult participants (67.6% women; M age = 45.5). SPS was measured using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), while personality traits were assessed with the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). A two-dimensional analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between two variables. Results. Women exhibited significantly higher SPS than men (M = 115.72 and M = 100.92; p < 0.001). Among the Big Five traits, conscientiousness was the most pronounced (M = 5.63, SD = 1.22), while extraversion was the least expressed (M = 3.99, SD = 1.36). The data analysis revealed a weak but significant negative correlation between higher Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) and lower emotional stability (ρ = –0.388, p < 0.001). Additionally, weak but significant negative correlations were found between SPS and extraversion (ρ = –0.159, p = 0.002) and conscientiousness (ρ = –0.159, p = 0.025). Conclusions. Our study results demonstrated that higher SPS was correlated with lower emotional stability, lower extraversion, and higher conscientiousness. The weak but significant correlations suggest that SPS shares similarities with these personality traits, likely due to its nature as an emotionally reactive and more environmentally sensitive characteristic. However, the weak strength of these correlations suggests that SPS and the Big Five traits are rather distinct constructs. Recognizing personality structure could aid in developing individualized interventions for people with heightened sensitivity. Future research should explore the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships, investigate potential moderating factors.