High Sensory Processing Sensitivity and the Perception of Daily Events: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Well-Being

Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait characterized by heightened sensitivity to sensory and emotional stimuli. Previous research has linked SPS to lower emotional well-being, often indicating lower well-being under adverse environmental conditions. However, SPS has been linked not only to increased vulnerability but also to heightened responsivity to positive environmental input. Overall, findings are mixed and predominantly based on retrospective self-report measures. The present study aims to examine whether the perception of daily negative and positive events (in terms of frequency, intensity, and duration) explains the association between SPS and well-being. To reduce retrospective bias and increase ecological validity, emotional experiences and daily events were assessed using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) over a period of 13 days. By aggregating EMA data at the person level, this study focuses on between-person differences in daily experiences. The primary aim is to test whether characteristics of daily events mediate the association between SPS and well-being.