Sensory processing sensitivity and vulnerability to recent stressful experiences in the prediction of mental health in pregnancy.

PURPOSE: While research shows associations between recent stressful experiences (RSEs) and perinatal mental illness, potential moderators and relationships to well-being are not yet understood. The current study aimed to examine (1) if sensory processing sensitivity (SPS; depth of processing, awareness of subtleties, emotional reactivity and ease of overstimulation), moderated the relationship between RSEs and prenatal mental illness and well-being and (2) if results supported the diathesis-stress (high SPS individuals are more vulnerable to high RSEs) or the differential susceptibility model (high SPS individuals also benefit more from low RSEs).

METHODS: Participants included 574 pregnant individuals in their first trimester recruited via social media advertisements followed by videocalls who were (1) 18+ years old (2) literate in English (3) US citizens/residents, and (4) planning to continue the pregnancy. Participants self-reported mental illness (depression and anxiety symptoms) and well-being (life satisfaction), RSEs, and SPS. Moderated path analyses and region-of-significance analyses were conducted in Mplus.

RESULTS: A significant interaction was found between RSEs and SPS in the prediction of depression symptoms but not anxiety or life satisfaction. Simple slopes showed that RSEs predicted depression symptoms when SPS was high only. Region-of-significance analyses showed strong support for the diathesis-stress model, identifying SPS as a vulnerability factor for perinatal depression.

CONCLUSION: The present study found that SPS was a vulnerability factor for depression in pregnant individuals. Screening and awareness of SPS could support more precise and effective mental health care based on research showing therapy can be tailored for individuals high on SPS.