'It’s like feeling and experiencing everything in HD’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of sensory processing sensitivity

This study explored the lived experience and emotional wellbeing of individuals who self-identify as being highly sensitive persons (HSP), otherwise termed sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of eleven participants who self-identify as being HSP. There were eight females and three males. Most participants were recruited from HSP Meetup groups which are meetings that focus on supporting HSPs and promoting awareness of the trait. Information about the research was distributed via members’ mailing lists and potential participants were asked to contact the researcher if they would be willing to take part in an interview. All participants scored above the cut-off for being classed as highly sensitive on the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (Aron, 1997). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and the data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three themes were identified from participants’ accounts in relation to wellbeing which were labelled using in vivo coding: ‘We can have these extreme emotions’, ‘Empathy: A blessing and a curse’, and ‘You have to learn to manage it’. Participants had experienced intense emotions that led them to question their mental health. Empathy was identified as a defining feature of SPS that can have both positive and negative implications. Participants had found ways to manage their heightened sensitivity including personal development, therapy, and self-care coping strategies. Findings are discussed in the context of previous literature and suggestions are made for future lines of investigation.