Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Emotional and Physiological Reactivity to Crying Infants

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a temperamental trait characterised by deeper processing of environmental and social information, heightened awareness of subtle cues, and stronger emotional responsiveness. Although SPS has often been associated with increased physiological reactivity, empirical findings have been mixed, and recent work suggests that highly sensitive individuals may not consistently show stronger physiological responses, and that developmental context, particularly the quality of the rearing environment, may help to explain this variability. This study examines how SPS relates to emotional and physiological reactivity to videos presenting two stimulus conditions: infant crying and control videos of construction work. Physiological and emotional reactivity is assessed both through self-reported measures and through skin conductance responses (SCR) within a sample of 42 female adult university students. The study further investigates whether the quality of the rearing environment moderates these associations, meaning that the strength or direction of the relationship between SPS and reactivity may vary depending on the person’s rearing environment. Finally, it examines whether SPS is linked to stronger correspondence between self-reported physiological arousal and SCR. Videos of crying infants evoked overall higher emotional and physiological reactivity than control videos. Even though SPS was associated with moderately elevated self‑reported reactivity, especially for control conditions, SCR was not significantly influenced by neither SPS nor stimulus type. The rearing environment did not moderate these associations, although negative rearing environments showed a slight positive association with irritation. SPS was linked to a stronger correspondence between SCR and perceived physiological arousal, suggesting heightened interoceptive atonement. To conclude, these findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of SPS and they showcase the value of integrating subjective and physiological measures in SPS research.