Sensory processing sensitivity as a predictor of health-related quality of life outcomes via stress and sleep quality

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), linked to processing external and internal stimuli, has drawn attention to its associations with clinical factors, particularly with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) variables. This study examined the relationships among SPS, stress, sleep quality, and HRQOL, establishing an explanation model. Eight hundred adults (M = 26.66 years, SD = 12.24; range age: 18-85 years) completed self-administered questionnaires on SPS, stress, sleep quality, and HRQOL. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to analyze HRQOL pathways. Stress positively correlated with sleep quality disturbances (r = 0.442, p < 0.001), and SPS (r = 0.344, p < 0.001). Sleep quality disturbances were weakly positively associated with SPS (r = 0.242, p < 0.001). Weak negative correlations emerged between stress and physical (r = -0.283, p < 0.001) and mental (r = - 0.271, p < 0.001) health, HRQOL main dimensions. SEM results showed SPS positively influenced sleep quality disturbances (β = 0.242, p < 0.05) stress (β = 0.413, p < 0.001) while negatively affecting physical health (β = - 0.126, p < 0.001). Sleep quality disturbances negatively affected physical (β = - 0.168, p < 0.001), and mental (β = - 0.189 , p < 0.001) health, and stress on mental health (β = - 0.492, p < 0.01). Indirect effects between SPS and physical (β = -0.036, p < 0.001) and mental (β = - 0.091, p < 0.001) health through sleep were observed, as well as a mediation of stress between SPS and mental health (β = - 0.196, p < 0.001). SPS, sleep quality disturbances, and stress emerged as significant predictors of self-rated physical and mental health in adults.