Frustration at work is inevitable, but new research shows that 26% of the adult population may be more susceptible to stress at work than others.
Researchers at Osaka University have found that highly sensitive people (HSPs) are “more sensitive” to stress and may experience stress at higher levels than their peers.
They said this was true even when considering people who mistaken optimism for pessimism.
HSPs have something called sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). This means that they are more sensitive to emotions and more responsive to internal and external stimuli such as pain, light, and noise.
Psychologist Elaine Aron said, coined the wordI explained. HSPs often “Easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input” such as bright lights, strong smells, rough fabrics, and sirens. Very sensitive to pain. I feel uncomfortable due to loud noises. And easily surprised.
They also feel the need to avoid violent media, are easily influenced by the moods of others, have “complex inner lives,” and may be “deeply moved by art and music.”
All this, according to a new study published in Japanese Journal of Applied Psychologythe workplace can become a more stressful environment.
An analysis of the responses of 270 Japanese workers found a correlation between HSP and high perceived stress. This trait was also associated with higher feelings of alienation.
“Our research found that HSPs tend to experience more stress in the workplace, with approximately 26% of working adults potentially classified as HSPs.” Lead author Tomohiro Ioku said:. “This is surprising because it suggests that a significant portion of the workforce may be experiencing higher levels of stress.”
But there are also positive sides. We also found that being an HSP was associated with being more empathetic.
“Our findings show that although HSPs are more susceptible to stress, their high level of empathy can be a valuable asset to organizations, especially in roles that require strong interpersonal skills.”
“Understanding the unique characteristics of HSPs will enable industry associations to develop a more inclusive and collaborative environment,” says Iok. “This can improve employee retention and overall workplace happiness.”
