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

Journal of Psychosomatic Research · 2025 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 2504

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of Psychosomatic Research · 2025

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

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.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

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

Sample size491

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 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": 0.78,
  "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 and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2025.112425
PubMed: 41160934

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