%0 Journal Article
%T High Sensitivity in Developmental Contexts: Longitudinal Studies of Early School-Age Children
%A Gulla, Bożena
%A Nisiewicz, Beata
%J Psychologia Rozwojowa
%V 2023
%R 10.4467/20843879PR.23.014.20082
%N Tom 28, Numer 3
%P 75-88
%K wrażliwość, wysoka wrażliwość, wysoko wrażliwe dziecko, rodzice
%@ 1895-6297
%D 2024
%U https://ejournals.eu/czasopismo/psychologia-rozwojowa/artykul/high-sensitivity-in-developmental-contexts-longitudinal-studies-of-early-school-age-children-1
%X Manifestations of high sensitivity can be recognized even in the youngest children. Therefore, it is not possible to test it through activities that may disrupt its proper functioning. The research presented aims to investigate the development of this trait. There have been no longitudinal studies focusing on this trait in children, as they have not been widely researched or passed between devices that connect children with their parents. The study analyzed data from 131 children aged 8–11, including 84 tested twice, and 33 pairs of parents. The Highly Sensitive Child Scale in the Polish adaptation by Baryła-Matejczuk and Poleszak, and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale translated by Golonka and Gulla were used for measurement.
The collected data confirm the validity of distinguishing three significantly different groups among children that are under control. It was noticed that girls have a higher sensitivity level than boys, and high sensitivity characterizes them more often than boys at a statistically significant level. The similarity in sensitivity levels between children and their parents has also been confirmed, along with the statistical significance in both parents. The percentage of highly sensitive children in the study group does not align with Elaine Aron’s theory assumptions and previous research findings. Additional predictions have been partially supported by the data.
While the obtained validation results have been expanded upon, it is important to note the absence of this type of testing, and these initial findings can serve as preliminary values for further in-depth analyses in the future.