Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Overstimulation in Daily Life: An Experience Sampling Method Study

Individuals differ in how they perceive and process social and sensory information in their environment, a personality trait known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS). Approximately 30% of the general population scores high on this trait making them more responsive to both negative and positive environmental influences than individuals lower in SPS. Overstimulation is one of the biggest challenges associated with SPS. Associations between SPS, triggers, and fluctuations of overstimulation in everyday life were examined using an experience sampling method study in 139 healthy adults. Results showed that overstimulation peaked in the early evening and in the presence of others. Furthermore, more sensitive individuals reported higher levels of overstimulation when auditory and visual stimuli were rated as unpleasant, when fatigued, or in a negative mood. Yet, more sensitive individuals reported lower levels of overstimulation with momentary pleasant auditory and visual stimuli, when not fatigued, and in a positive mood at the current moment. Everyone, but especially individuals high in SPS, might benefit from interventions preventing high levels of fatigue, increasing positive mood and the pleasantness of sensory stimuli in their daily life to reduce feelings of overstimulation.