Functional separability of sensory-processing sensitivity and interoception

Abstract

When we recognize self, it is necessary to integrate sensory information from the environment with information from inside the body. However, it is unclear whether all individuals have the same susceptibility to exteroception and interoception. The present study investigated relationships between sensory-processing sensitivity and interoceptive awareness through self-reporting measures. Two hundred and one healthy people (21–60 years old) completed the highly sensitive person (HSP) scale and the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA). Consistent with previous findings, a bifactor model provided a better fit to the HSP scale data. Latent profile analysis showed the existence of high and low HSP groups. Factor analysis revealed that two factors, “Environmental Sensitivity” and “Bodily Sensitivity,” were extracted from the HSP scale and MAIA. This suggests that sensitivity to exteroception is functionally separable from that of interoception within each individual.