Do Levels of Sensory Processing Sensitivity Impact Dream Intensity? By Suzanne de-Vos

Guest Post

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 5 individuals can be described as Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) (Aron & Aron, 1997). Whilst this innate temperament trait has many positive sides, being highly perceptive, empathic, conscientious and intuitive, there are also some less positive emotional effects which can be tricky to manage in daily life. HSPs experience increased depths of sensory processing because of heightened emotional reactivity, whether it be positive or negative, internal or external stimuli. In the past, this has provided evolutionary advantages as an awareness to subtleties in the environment have been successively amplified, heightening the readiness to act against possible danger (Aron, et al., 2012). However in the present, this enhanced awareness can lead to higher levels susceptibility to distress (Carr & Nielsen, 2017), with research strongly associating it to burnout, exhaustion, and disengagement (Golonka & Gulla, 2021). Because this trait, also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is shared by approximately 20% of the general population, exploration of the factors that underpin SPS and what could protect the wellbeing of HSPs has become an increasingly popular and worthy area of research.

Most previous literature discussing the construct of SPS has either concentrated on the effects of an increase in environmental sensitivity during waking hours (Golonka & Gulla, 2021), or the associations of personality traits with dream recall frequency and nightmares. Functional MRI studies showing that parts of the frontal brain (including salience and default mode networks), are integral to SPS. It has been demonstrated that when increased levels of emotional arousal bestow additional salience to processing external stimuli, it intensifies processing whilst awakening, which increases dream recall (Vallat, et al., 2020). In SPS nightmare sufferers, the ratio of negative imagery vastly outweighs positive imagery, which is against the prediction that it should be equal (Carr & Nielsen, 2017).

Because SPS causes an individual to process environmental stimuli at a deeper level, whether positive or negative, it is possible that high-intensity dreams are not restricted to nightmares in HSPs but are a broader phenomenon across all dreams. If so, this may reveal a contributing factor to burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion in the awake state. Indeed, studies such as those conducted by Brand, et al., (2011); Schredl, et al., (2022); Carr & Nielsen, (2017); Carr, (2020); Greven, et al., (2019), Khodarahimi, et al., (2021) and Scarpelli, et al., (2015) report increased dream recall abilities of HSPs. However, little research has explored the effect of SPS in general dream intensity, including emotionality, imagery, and vividity. 

Researchers at the Northumbria University, England, are carrying out a study to test if higher levels of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) will predict dream intensity. The current study will build on existing literature and theories to test the hypothesis that higher levels of SPS will positively predict dream intensity. We would like to invite you to take part by completing a short survey. It should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and is entirely anonymous.  The study and its protocol have received full ethical approval from Northumbria University College of Reviewers (reference number: 52968).

If you would like to take part, the survey and further information can be accessed via the link below:

References:

Aron, & Aron, A. (1997).  Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology., 73(2).

Aron, Aron, A., & Jagiellowicz, J. (2012). Sensory Processing Sensitivity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16(3), 262–282. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868311434213

Brand, Beck, Johannes, M.D, Kalak, Nadeem, M.Sc, Gerber, M., Kirov, Roumen, M.D., Pühse, U., Hatzinger, Martin, M.D, & Holsboer-Trachsler, Edith, M.D. (2011). Dream Recall and Its Relationship to Sleep, Perceived Stress, and Creativity Among Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(5), 525–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.04.004

Carr, & Nielsen, T. (2017). A novel Differential Susceptibility framework for the study of nightmares: Evidence for trait sensory processing sensitivity. Clinical Psychology Review, 58, 86–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.002

Carr, Summers, R., Bradshaw, C., Newton, C., Ellis, L., Johnston, E., & Blagrove, M. (2020). Frontal Brain Activity and Subjective Arousal During Emotional Picture Viewing in Nightmare Sufferers. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 585574–585574. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.585574

Golonka, & Gulla, B. (2021). Individual Differences and Susceptibility to Burnout Syndrome: Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Exhaustion and Disengagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 751350–751350. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751350

Greven, Lionetti, F., Booth, C., Aron, E. N., Fox, E., Schendan, H. E., Pluess, M., Bruining, H., Acevedo, B., Bijttebier, P., & Homberg, J. (2019). Sensory Processing Sensitivity in the context of Environmental Sensitivity: A critical review and development of research agenda. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 98, 287–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.01.009

Khodarahimi, Mirderikvand, F., & Amraei, K. (2021). Negative affectivity, sensory processing hypersensitivity, sleep quality and dreams: A conceptual model for generalised anxiety disorder in adults. Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01428-w

Scarpelli, D'Atri, A., Gorgoni, M., Ferrara, M., & De Gennaro, L. (2015). EEG oscillations during sleep and dream recall: State- or trait-like individual differences? Frontiers in Psychology, 6(MAY), 605–605. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00605

Schredl, Blamo, A. E., Ehrenfeld, F., & Olivier, P. S. (2022). Dream Recall Frequency and Sensory-Processing Sensitivity. Dreaming (New York, N.Y.), 32(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/drm0000185

Vallat, A., & Ruby, P. (2020). Brain functional connectivity upon awakening from sleep predicts interindividual differences in dream recall frequency. Sleep (New York, N.Y.), 43(12), 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa116

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BIO

My name is Suzanne de-Vos and I’m an MSc Psychology student at the Northumbria University, England, currently working on my Thesis. I have a keen interest in how differently people can experience and process stimuli due to High Sensitivity, and the benefits and difficulties this can present.

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Julie Bjelland is a psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, Author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, host of The HSP Podcast, and founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community. Her books, blog, online courses, and free Webinars have helped thousands of highly sensitive people (HSPs) worldwide reduce their challenges, access their gifts, and discover their significant value to thrive to their fullest potential. Her HSPs in Heart-Centered Business Group connects and supports HSP healers and practitioners. Julie loves connecting in her Sensitive Empowerment Community and warmly invites you to join this positive, safe, and welcoming space. JulieBjelland.com❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)