Abstract
<p>Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and rejection sensitivity (RS) are two distinct sensitivity-related traits that have each been associated with poorer mental health. However, little research has examined how these constructs relate to one another or whether they uniquely contribute to mental health. This study examined the association between SPS and RS and their independent relationships with mental distress and well-being in an online sample of 565 adults. Participants self-reported SPS, RS, psychological distress, and well-being. Correlations and multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine associations between SPS, RS, distress, and well-being, both before and after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. While both traits independently predicted psychological distress, RS demonstrated a stronger and more robust association with psychological well-being after accounting for sociodemographic factors. These findings suggest that assessing both SPS and RS may improve understanding of individual differences in mental health and inform more targeted prevention and intervention strategies.</p>