Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire (SPSQ)
The Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire (SPSQ) is a short 16-item questionnaire capturing the overall level of sensitivity/sensitivity. Items assess two areas of high sensitivity and is therefore divided into two subscales: the Sensory Sensitivity subscale, which assesses sensory processing sensitivity, and the Other Sensitivity subscale, which captures sensitivity to emotions and various life experiences. The items are not formulated as statements, but mostly as single words covering key areas of high sensitivity. The questionnaire can be used as a whole or just the Sensory Sensitivity subscale.
Length of completion
The entire questionnaire takes approximately 2 minutes to complete.
Individualized feedback for the respondent
After completing the entire questionnaire, the subject will know the extent of his/her sensitivity.
Keywords
Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire, SPSQ, sensitivity, sensory sensitivity, other sensitivity
Scoring and interpretation
The total score is the average of the scores of all items. Thus, it ranges from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher levels of sensitivity.
Response Scale
Subjects responded on a scale of 0-10 with the following main clues: ‘0 = not at all sensitive compared to others’; ‘5 = about as sensitive as people around me’; and ‘10 = much more sensitive than people around me’.
References
Malinakova, K., Novak, L., Trnka, R., & Tavel, P. (2021). Sensory Processing Sensitivity Questionnaire: A Psychometric Evaluation and Associations with Experiencing the COVID-19 Pandemic. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(24), 12962. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412962