TY - JOUR
T1 - Sensory Processing Sensitivity in the context of Environmental Sensitivity
T2 - A critical review and development of research agenda
AU - Greven, Corina U.
AU - Lionetti, Francesca
AU - Booth, Charlotte
AU - Aron, Elaine N.
AU - Fox, Elaine
AU - Schendan, Haline E.
AU - Pluess, Michael
AU - Bruining, Hilgo
AU - Acevedo, Bianca
AU - Bijttebier, Patricia
AU - Homberg, Judith
PY - 2019/3
Y1 - 2019/3
N2 - Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a common, heritable and evolutionarily conserved trait describing inter-individual differences in sensitivity to both negative and positive environments. Despite societal interest in SPS, scientific knowledge is lagging behind. Here, we critically discuss how SPS relates to other theories, how to measure SPS, whether SPS is a continuous vs categorical trait, its relation to other temperament and personality traits, the underlying aetiology and neurobiological mechanisms, and relations to both typical and atypical development, including mental and sensory disorders. Drawing on the diverse expertise of the authors, we set an agenda for future research to stimulate the field. We conclude that SPS increases risk for stress-related problems in response to negative environments, but also provides greater benefit from positive and supportive experiences. The field requires more reliable and objective assessment of SPS, and deeper understanding of its mechanisms to differentiate it from other traits. Future research needs to target prevention of adverse effects associated with SPS, and exploitation of its positive potential to improve well-being and mental health.
AB - Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a common, heritable and evolutionarily conserved trait describing inter-individual differences in sensitivity to both negative and positive environments. Despite societal interest in SPS, scientific knowledge is lagging behind. Here, we critically discuss how SPS relates to other theories, how to measure SPS, whether SPS is a continuous vs categorical trait, its relation to other temperament and personality traits, the underlying aetiology and neurobiological mechanisms, and relations to both typical and atypical development, including mental and sensory disorders. Drawing on the diverse expertise of the authors, we set an agenda for future research to stimulate the field. We conclude that SPS increases risk for stress-related problems in response to negative environments, but also provides greater benefit from positive and supportive experiences. The field requires more reliable and objective assessment of SPS, and deeper understanding of its mechanisms to differentiate it from other traits. Future research needs to target prevention of adverse effects associated with SPS, and exploitation of its positive potential to improve well-being and mental health.
KW - Aetiology
KW - Animal model
KW - Cognition
KW - Differential susceptibility
KW - Environmental sensitivity
KW - Highly sensitive child
KW - Highly sensitive person
KW - Mental health
KW - Neuroscience
KW - Personality
KW - Sensory processing sensitivity
KW - Temperament
U2 - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.01.009
DO - 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.01.009
M3 - Review article
C2 - 30639671
AN - SCOPUS:85060868231
SN - 0149-7634
VL - 98
SP - 287
EP - 305
JO - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
JF - Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
ER -