Environmental Sensitivity to Discrimination in the Prediction of Adult Mental Health

Discrimination has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes, yet individuals vary in their psychological responses to such experiences. This study draws upon the environmental sensitivity framework to investigate whether sensory processing sensitivity – a temperamental trait characterized by heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli – moderates the relationship between everyday discrimination and adult mental health. The three facets of sensory processing sensitivity were examined: aesthetic sensitivity, ease of excitation, and low sensory threshold. Participants were 565 adults (18 to 94 years old; M = 46.65, SD = 15.84) recruited via Prolific. Moderated linear regressions and and region-of-significance analyses were conducted in Mplus. Results showed that discrimination was associated with both lower well-being and higher distress. Aesthetic sensitivity was the only significant moderator of discrimination for both mental well-being and distress. Discrimination was more strongly associated with lower well-being and higher distress when aesthetic sensitivity was high. Interactions supported vantage sensitivity, meaning that aesthetic sensitivity captured receptivity to low discrimination environments but not vulnerability to high discrimination environments. High discrimination was associated with poorer mental health regardless of sensory processing sensitivity. Results underscore the importance of reducing discrimination to promote positive mental health and support the integration of sensitivity-informed and culturally responsive approaches in both clinical and policy contexts. Future studies should explore how intersecting identities and environmental contexts may shape the outcomes of individuals of varying temperaments and sensitivity profiles.