Social but lonely? The emotional challenges of highly sensitive people

Social but lonely? The emotional challenges of highly sensitive people

New research finds why highly sensitive people crave deeper connections yet maintain broad social bonds and require the emotional side of sensitivity like never before.

In a paper recently published in the journalScientific reportsResearchers examined the connection between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and various forms of loneliness and isolation.

Their findings suggest a significant correlation between SPS and emotional loneliness and that highly sensitive individuals (HSPs) may seek greater understanding and intimacy in their close relationships.

background

Over the last two decades, scientific interest in SPS has grown significantly. SPS is a personality trait with a neurobiological basis that includes increased sensitivity to sensory, emotional and social stimuli.

People with high SPs, also known as HSPs, process information more deeply, experience stronger emotional reactions, and may feel overwhelmed easily. About 31% of the population is highly sensitive, while others have moderate or low sensitivity.

SPS is diverse and overlaps with personality traits such as neuroticism, openness to experience, and introversion. HSPs are more empathetic, creative, and responsive to positive environments and benefit from psychotherapy and interventions.

The metaphor “orchid, tulip, dandelion”:The study relates in contrast to resilient “dandelions”.

However, they are also vulnerable to stress, depression, anxiety, and negative childhood experiences, making them more likely to seek therapy.

Socially, HSPs with low self-esteem may face stigma and social phobia, leading to alienation and loneliness. Research shows that HSPs experienced increased loneliness during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, but the connection between SPS and loneliness remains underexplored.

Given their emotional sensitivity and social challenges, HSPs may experience loneliness more intensely than others, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.

About the study

The researchers examined the connections between SPS and feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Data collection was conducted online between September 2022 and May 2023, and participants were identified through university students for their coursework.

Strict criteria excluded participants with incomplete answers, quick completion times, repetitive answers, or duplicate submissions, leaving a final sample of 3,247 participants aged 18 to 80 (66.2% female, mean age 31.9). Participation was voluntary, with informed consent, and the study received ethical approval.

SPS was assessed using a 16-item questionnaire in which participants categorized into low, moderate, or high sensitivity based on overall scores. Loneliness was measured using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, which assesses emotional and social loneliness. Ratings were dichotomized into “lonely” and “not lonely.”

Social isolation was measured using five questions about social interactions and network size. The responses were analyzed individually. Neuroticism and Extraversion were assessed using subscales of the Big Five inventory, with higher scores indicating higher scores.

Sociodemographic characteristics and variable group comparisons were analyzed using t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square tests. The relationships between SPS and loneliness were examined through multivariate and logistic regression models, adjusting for factors such as extraversion, neuroticism, education, gender, and age. The assumptions for these tests have been verified.

Results

Significant differences in SPS were observed across educational levels, employment status, and gender. Women, people without paid jobs (including the unemployed, students or carers) and people with basic certificate or bachelor's level education showed higher SPS scores.

Among employment categories, those without paid jobs scored highest, followed by employed, while retirees scored lowest. In education, those with secondary vocational training had the lowest SPS scores. Overall, 19% of participants were classified as high sensitivity, 78.9% moderate sensitivity and 2.1% low sensitivity.

Evolutionary advantage for women?Beyond cultural norms, the paper cites evolutionary theories, suggesting that women's higher SPS scores reflect adaptive characteristics for caregiving and social bonding, not just societal expectations.

High SPS individuals reported greater emotional and overall loneliness in unadjusted analyzes compared to medium and low SPS groups, but no significant differences were observed for social loneliness. After adjusting for variables such as neuroticism and extraversion, only the sensory sensitivity subscale (not total SPS scores) showed a weak association with overall loneliness.

Participants with medium sensitivity had the highest representation of the social network for “people willing to help” and “friends,” while participants with low sensitivity had the lowest. No significant differences were observed in interactions for family or friends or close friendships.

Regression analysis showed that higher SPs (total score and sensory subscale) predicted increased emotional loneliness, but only the sensory subscale predicted weakly increased total loneliness after adjusting for extraversion, neuroticism, education, gender, and age.

Medium and high SPS groups were significantly less likely to have smaller groups of friends or few people highlighted in their support systems, particularly practical help networks and general friendships, stronger social networks compared to low SPS individuals.

Conclusions

The researchers examined the links between SPS, social isolation and loneliness and found that higher SPs were associated with emotional, but not social, loneliness, even after controlling for factors such as extraversion, neuroticism, education, gender and age.

High SPS individuals often feel emotionally lonely due to their need for deeper, more meaningful relationships, which they may struggle with. However, their broader social interactions are similar to those of the general population, which has no significant impact on social loneliness or isolation.

Gender and educational differences were evident, with women scoring higher on SPS and those with secondary vocational education. Cultural norms and evolutionary traits can explain gender differences, while educational differences can relate to personality traits and career preferences.

The results show that HSPs often face challenges in close relationships, making emotional support crucial to their well-being. Future research should examine the role of attachment, trauma, and other personality traits in this dynamic.

Good clinical information

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