Another interesting study examining Sensory Processing Sensitivity (known in popular culture as the highly sensitive person or HSP)! This one was a bachelor’s level thesis from rijkuniversiteit groningen in the Netherlands specifically looking at SPS and student mental health and how self concept clarity may be a mediating factor in this relationship. A total of 317 Dutch university students took an online survey utilizing validated measures of SPS, SCCC, and Student Mental Health.

Results seem to show that the less self concept clarity students have, combined with sensory processing sensitivity, the greater the propensity for mental health concerns among HSP students. The author suggested that interventions in the form of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or self compassion training may help self concept clarity among HSP students.

Self Concept Clarity basically states that those with high SCC know their strengths and weaknesses, understand the nature of their personalities, and where they stand on important values and attitudes. In short, they know themselves well and feel a healthy sense of self-esteem and are self-efficacious. We know that many HSPs tend to know themselves well only around midlife, which can be highly problematic for HSPs and, say, career choice (see my book Thrive: The Highly Sensitive Person and Career for much more), but also in “adulting” or facing the real world of work and relationships that almost demands of them self concept clarity.

The good news is that HSPs tend to respond more readily to interventions than less sensitive people and will do far better in positive and supportive environments (college being an overall positive and supportive environment). The college experience can also be one of coming to know ourselves through exposure to new and varied people then we may have encountered before. New ideas and concepts may also transform our worldviews and perspectives in support of developing a more clear self concept. Lastly, the growth trajectory typical of many college students can be quite steep with dramatic changes to growth and development that will serve them well throughout life.

You can help encourage the young people in your life (adults too) towards greater self concept clarity through positive associations and interactions with them, supporting their efforts – especially when they entail a stretch into challenging territory, and mentoring those in our orbits of influence if we have been fortunate enough to have developed a health sense of self concept clarity ourselves.

This is a productive study from this student in the Netherlands and it is encouraging to see scholarly work advancing highly sensitive people!

Click here to view abstract of the study.