Highly Sensitive Person Scale

What is the Highly Sensitive Person Scale?

A Highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who experiences heightened sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. This heightened sensitivity often manifests in being easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input (such as bright lights, shrill sounds, or delicate or fine scents), deeply moved by art or music, or highly attuned to the moods and emotions of others. An HSP may have a highly sensitive nervous system that processes sensory information in a different manner than neurotypical people.

There are different types of Highly Sensitive Persons, which include:

1. The introverted highly sensitive person: These individuals prefer solitude and a quiet physical environment. They often need time alone to recharge and process their experiences.
2. The extroverted highly sensitive person: Unlike the typical introverted HSP, these individuals are more outgoing and enjoy social interactions but can still feel overwhelmed by intense stimuli.
3. The empathic highly sensitive person: These individuals are highly attuned to the emotions of others. Other people's moods affect them deeply empathetic, and they can absorb the feelings of those around them.
4. The sensory highly sensitive person: These individuals are particularly sensitive to sensory stimuli such as lights, sounds, and textures. They may find certain environments overwhelming due to their heightened sensory awareness.
5. The intuitive highly sensitive person: These individuals have a strong sense of intuition and are often guided by their gut feelings. They may have a deep understanding of situations or people without needing explicit information.
6. The creative highly sensitive person: These individuals are highly imaginative and often express their aesthetic sensitivity through creative outlets such as art, music, or writing. Their creativity is often a way to process and express their emotions and experiences.

Research into the high sensory processing sensitivity trait began with Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1990s, who identified that approximately 15-20% of the population exhibit these characteristics. Dr. Aron, along with her husband Arthur Aron, developed the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) in 1997 to measure this trait. The HSPS consists of 27 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale, and it has been shown to have high reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.87 (Aron & Aron, 1997).

The scale is used to assess individuals who may exhibit high sensitivity in various contexts, including mental health, interpersonal relationships, and work environments. It is particularly useful for healthcare professionals in identifying highly sensitive children and individuals who may require different therapeutic approaches due to their heightened sensitivity. The scale should be administered when there is a suspicion that a patient may be highly sensitive, either based on self-reported experiences or observed behaviors. This is because HSPs (especially children) require more support to become happier adults (Aron, 2015).

How to perform the Highly Sensitive Person Scale?

To effectively use the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) with patients, follow these steps:

Step 1: Access the template

Begin by accessing the HSPS template. This can be done digitally or through a printed version. Make sure you are familiar with the scale and its items before administering it to your patient.

Step 2: Explain the scale to the patient

Before administering the scale, explain to the patient that the HSPS is designed to measure sensitivity to various physical, emotional, and social stimuli. Let the patient know that they should answer each statement truthfully based on their experiences and that there are no right or wrong answers.

Step 3: Have the patient complete the scale

Provide the patient with the HSPS, and instruct them to rate each item on a scale from 1 (Not at all) to 7 (Extremely). If necessary, assist the patient in understanding any statements, but be careful not to influence their responses.

Step 4: Tally and discuss the results

After the patient has completed the scale, tally their total score. Once the score has been tallied, review the results with the patient. This step allows for a discussion of their sensitivity level, what the results indicate, and the potential impacts on their mental health or daily functioning.

Now that the scale has been performed and scored, we will move on to interpreting the results.

Scoring and interpretation

Once the patient has completed the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), tallying the results just involves adding the responses. The final score will range from 27 to 189, with higher scores indicating a higher level of sensitivity.

A high score on the HSPS indicates that the individual is highly sensitive. They may be more prone to feeling overwhelmed by sensory input, emotional situations, or social interactions. This level of sensitivity may require specific coping strategies to manage and could impact various aspects of their life, including work, relationships, and mental health.

Next steps after using the scale

After administering the HSPS and discussing the results, the following steps should be considered to support the patient:

1. Develop coping strategies: Based on the patient’s level of sensitivity, suggest practical coping strategies to help them manage their sensitivities in various situations. For example, if they are highly sensitive to sensory stimuli, you might recommend creating a calming environment at home or work. If they struggle with emotional sensitivity, mindfulness practices or therapy may be beneficial.
2. Consider therapy options: Therapy can be particularly helpful for highly sensitive individuals, especially if their sensitivity leads to anxiety, depression, or social difficulties. Depending on the patient’s needs, you might suggest individual therapy, group therapy, or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help them develop resilience, teach them emotional regulation, and manage their sensitivity more effectively.
3. Encourage self-care practices: Self-care is vital for highly sensitive individuals. Encourage the patient to engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as regular exercise, meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature. These practices can help them recharge and maintain a sense of balance in their lives.

By taking these steps, you can help your patients better understand and manage their sensitivity, improving their quality of life and overall mental health.

References

Aron, E. (2015). The highly sensitive child: Helping our children thrive when the world overwhelms them. Harmony Books.

Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (1997). Highly Sensitive Person Scale. APA PsycTests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t00299-000