Sensory Processing Sensitivity in childhood: Investigation of the construct validity of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale-Parent Report with behavioral traits

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to validate the factor structure of the Greek version of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale – Parent Report (HSCS) and to delineate the ways in which SPS early in life may be associated with constructs of interest, especially in relation to affective traits and empathy. The study consisted of a sample of 153 children (M = 9.97; SD: 1.28, min: 7.5; max: 49.0% girls). The results showed that SPS in children was strongly positively correlated with cognitive and affective empathy, depression and anxiety, ADHD traits, sensitivity to reward and punishment, fear/shyness, and responsiveness to social approval. Follow-up investigation underlined that SPS was better predicted positively by both elevated cognitive empathy and sensitivity to punishment traits. The findings provide new insights into the empirical correlates of SPS early in life that may be particularly useful in designing early interventions to mitigate potential mental health risks.