Investigating the effects of sensory processing sensitivity and perceived parental acceptance on self-compassion

Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is an innate trait characterized by heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli and deeper processing of information (Aron & Aron, 1997). This trait has gained considerable research interest due to its implications for gene-environment interactions. At the same time, self-compassion has emerged as a key focus of psychological research, with evidence highlighting its positive effects on well-being. This study investigated the predictive effects of SPS and perceived parental acceptance on self-compassion among adults. The sample consisted of 355 participants, and data were gathered using a demographic information form, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire Short Form (PARQ/S) and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Analyses included independent samples t-tests, correlational analyses, and hierarchical regression analyses across different age groups. Results revealed that SPS, along with maternal and paternal acceptance, significantly predicted self-compassion in the early adulthood group. In contrast, for the middle adulthood group, only SPS and maternal acceptance were significant predictors of self-compassion. The findings highlighted the nuanced roles of SPS as a negative influence and parental acceptance as a positive influence on fostering self-compassion across different developmental stages. Although middle-aged adults tended to exhibit higher levels of self-compassion, they were more negatively impacted by their levels of sensitivity compared to early adults. These results are discussed in relation to existing literature. Keywords: Maternal acceptance, paternal acceptance, self-compassion, sensory processing sensitivity