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Sensory Processing Sensitivity: exploring associations with cognition and clinical populations
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Date
2025
Authors
O'Brien, Jessica
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
This thesis is comprised of three pieces of research (a systematic review and two empirical studies) which explore the relationship between SPS, cognition, and mental health.
Systematic Review Abstract: Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) captures individual differences in sensitivity and responsivity to social, emotional, and physical environments. Core tenets of the trait centre around differences in cognitive processing, particularly environmental awareness, allocation of attention and depth of processing; however cognitive features associated with SPS have not been systematically synthesised and are poorly understood. This review examined the evidence that SPS impacts cognitive processing. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and grey literature yielded 37 studies. Narrative synthesis revealed mixed findings regarding associations between SPS and cognition, with emerging evidence specifically linking SPS to performance on theory of mind tasks. Situating our findings within the conceptual framework of hot and cold cognition, we suggest that cognitive differences related to SPS are more evident in tasks requiring hot (emotion-dependent) cognition (e.g., social cognition, tasks with emotional/motivational elements) compared to cold (emotion-independent) cognition. We highlight the need for further research to examine how contextual variables (environmental and emotional factors) influence the relationship between SPS and cognitive performance. It is important to clarify the cognitive profile of SPS, considering growing calls to utilise the trait in clinical practice.
Empirical Study 1 Abstract: Cognitive ageing is an ongoing global public health concern. There is continued efforts to identify modifiable factors to minimise the risk of cognitive impairment, and hence functional limits in our older population. Previous research has identified a potential role for temperament in influencing cognitive ageing. Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a temperament trait seeing much research interest of late, owing to its associations with poorer physical and mental health outcomes in children and adults. SPS captures individual differences in sensitivity to internal and external stimuli. In this chapter, we put forward a hypothesis that SPS may have detrimental effects for cognition as we age, given susceptibility to environmental stressors and propensity for emotional reactivity and sensory overload. We present pilot empirical data exploring associations between SPS (measured using the 12-item Highly Sensitive Person Scale; HSP-12) and cognition in a sample of 65 older adults across three diagnostic groups: mild cognitive impairment (n = 17), early stage dementia (n = 16) and cognitively-healthy individuals (n = 23). Global cognition (MMSE scores) and executive functioning (verbal fluency and Trail Making Test scores) served as dependent variables. Analyses found no evidence of differential cognitive performance as a function of SPS and SPS scores did not varying significantly between diagnostic groups. Preliminary analyses of this pilot data highlights methodological considerations in researching SPS in older adults, including issues with the psychometric scale used to assess Sensory Processing Sensitivity and the lack of existing research to inform hypothesis-testing. This chapter provides insights and theorised directions for future research exploring this topic.
Empirical Study 2 Abstract: Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a temperament trait reflecting individual differences in responsiveness to adverse and nurturing environments. Research on SPS has expanded rapidly in recent years. SPS is fast emerging as a risk factor for mental health difficulties, particularly internalising disorders. Behavioural and neuroimaging studies have established associations between SPS and neurodivergent traits (Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)). Evidence of the trait’s association with both mental ill-health and neurodivergent traits rely on general population samples and it remains unclear whether associations extend to clinical populations. This study examined associations between SPS and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults diagnosed with ADHD. Thirty-five participants (68.6% female, Mage = 32, SDage = 10.05) were recruited from an outpatient ADHD service. SPS was assessed using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. We investigated relationships between SPS, anxiety and depression symptoms, ADHD symptom severity and functioning, and emotion regulation strategies. Correlational and regression analyses explored associations in our sample. Higher SPS scores were positively correlated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. SPS and the emotion regulation strategy of expressive suppression were predictive of depressive symptoms, jointly accounting for 34% of the variance. Correlations between SPS and ADHD symptom severity and ADHD subscales varied by measurement tool. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present evidence of an association between SPS and internalising difficulties in a clinical population of adults with ADHD. The potential clinical value of Sensory Processing Sensitivity in understanding mental health difficulties is discussed.
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Keywords
Sensory processing sensitivity , Cognition , Mental health
Citation
O'Brien, J. 2025. Sensory Processing Sensitivity: exploring associations with cognition and clinical populations. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.