Symptoms associated with environmental factors are positively related to sensory-processing sensitivity

PAPER manual Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2025 Cross-sectional study Effect: unclear Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112425 PMID: 41160934 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Psychosomatic Research Tags: sensory-processing sensitivity, electromagnetic fields, somatic symptoms, environmental factors, psychological factors, body awareness, somatosensory amplification DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112425 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview Symptoms associated with environmental factors (SAEFs) are characterized by persistent somatic symptom distress and impaired daily functioning. Recent research has explored the connection between SAEFs and psychological traits such as somatosensory amplification (SSA), body awareness, and worries about the negative effects of modern technologies, including electromagnetic fields. Methods - A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 491 participants (average age 34.7 years, 76.4% women). - Questionnaires measured four main SAEFs: perceived sensitivity to chemicals, buildings, sounds, and electromagnetic fields (EMF). - Additional assessments included levels of somatic symptom distress, body awareness, SSA, modern health worries (MHWs), and sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS). Findings - Somatic symptoms distress, SSA, body awareness, and SPS were all positively and significantly related to each investigated SAEF. - There was a notably strong association between SSA and SPS (r = 0.73, p < .001). Conclusion SPS emerges as a new, important psychological factor associated with SAEFs. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of SSA and SPS in the manifestation of symptoms linked to environmental factors, including electromagnetic fields. These findings highlight a clear connection between EMF sensitivity, psychological traits, and increased health risk awareness.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Cross-sectional study

Effect direction

unclear

Population

Survey participants (average age 34.7 years; 76.4% women)

Sample size

491

Exposure

environmental factors (self-reported sensitivity), including electromagnetic fields

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a cross-sectional survey (n=491), somatic symptom distress, somatosensory amplification, body awareness, and sensory-processing sensitivity were all positively and significantly related to each investigated symptom category associated with environmental factors, including perceived EMF sensitivity. A strong association was reported between somatosensory amplification and sensory-processing sensitivity (r=0.73, p<.001).

Outcomes measured

Perceived sensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Perceived sensitivity to chemicals
Perceived sensitivity to buildings
Perceived sensitivity to sounds
Somatic symptom distress
Somatosensory amplification (SSA)
Body awareness
Modern health worries (MHWs)
Sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS)

Limitations

Cross-sectional design (associations only; no causal inference)
Exposure and outcomes based on questionnaires/self-report (perceived sensitivities)

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "environmental factors (self-reported sensitivity), including electromagnetic fields",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Survey participants (average age 34.7 years; 76.4% women)",
    "sample_size": 491,
    "outcomes": [
        "Perceived sensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EMF)",
        "Perceived sensitivity to chemicals",
        "Perceived sensitivity to buildings",
        "Perceived sensitivity to sounds",
        "Somatic symptom distress",
        "Somatosensory amplification (SSA)",
        "Body awareness",
        "Modern health worries (MHWs)",
        "Sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a cross-sectional survey (n=491), somatic symptom distress, somatosensory amplification, body awareness, and sensory-processing sensitivity were all positively and significantly related to each investigated symptom category associated with environmental factors, including perceived EMF sensitivity. A strong association was reported between somatosensory amplification and sensory-processing sensitivity (r=0.73, p<.001).",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional design (associations only; no causal inference)",
        "Exposure and outcomes based on questionnaires/self-report (perceived sensitivities)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "sensory-processing sensitivity",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "somatic symptoms",
        "environmental factors",
        "psychological factors",
        "body awareness",
        "somatosensory amplification",
        "modern health worries"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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