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Highly Sensitive People and Nature: Identity, Eco-Anxiety, and Pro-Environmental Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Mirko Duradoni

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

  • Maria Fiorenza

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

  • Martina Bellotti

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

  • Franca Paola Severino

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

  • Giulia Valdrighi

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

  • Andrea Guazzini

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

High environmental sensitivity, known as sensory processing sensitivity, characterizes certain individuals, causing them to perceive and react intensely to external stimuli. Individuals with sensory processing sensitivity, referred to as highly sensitive people (HPSs), exhibit heightened emotional reactivity and empathy, alongside a profound aesthetic sensitivity and a unique connection to nature. This trait can lead to both advantages and challenges, including increased vulnerability to sensory overload. This correlation study explored the hypothesis that highly sensitive people could be more sensitive to natural stimuli, leading to a stronger environmental identity, a higher level of eco-anxiety, and more pronounced pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. Data collection involved 501 Italian citizens (65.1% women; M age = 27.69 years; SD = 10.54). This study found positive correlations (between 0.20 and 0.47) between high sensitivity and environmental attitudes (e.g., New Ecological Paradigm and Climate Change Attitude Survey dimensions), identity aspects (e.g., connectedness to nature), behavioral aspects (e.g., pro-environmental behaviors), and eco-anxiety, suggesting that the highly sensitive person trait might be related to a stronger environmental identity, higher levels of eco-anxiety, and more pronounced pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. However, some exceptions were identified: ease of excitation and low sensory threshold were not significantly correlated with conservation behaviors and environmental citizenship, while aesthetic sensitivity was consistently associated with pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). Additionally, the low sensory threshold dimension appears to have a low association with attitudinal aspects measured by the Climate Change Attitude Survey. This suggests the complexity of sensory processing sensitivity and its nuanced impact on environmental dynamics. The findings emphasize the need for future research to explore the implicit dimensions of environmental attitudes and the emotional responses of HSPs to climate change. Practical recommendations include tailoring environmental education and policy strategies to address the unique emotional sensitivities of HSPs, fostering stronger engagement in pro-environmental actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirko Duradoni & Maria Fiorenza & Martina Bellotti & Franca Paola Severino & Giulia Valdrighi & Andrea Guazzini, 2025. "Highly Sensitive People and Nature: Identity, Eco-Anxiety, and Pro-Environmental Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2740-:d:1615959
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Belk, Russell W, 1988. "Possessions and the Extended Self," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(2), pages 139-168, September.
    2. Stefania Tonin & Diego Benedetto, 2024. "Exploring Sustainability Concerns and Ecosystem Services: The Role of the New Ecological Paradigm Scale in Understanding Public Opinion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Mirko Duradoni & Giulia Valdrighi & Alessia Donati & Maria Fiorenza & Luisa Puddu & Andrea Guazzini, 2024. "Development and Validation of the Readiness to Change Scale (RtC) for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-27, May.
    4. Ashlee Cunsolo & Neville R. Ellis, 2018. "Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 275-281, April.
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