Children’s Differential Susceptibility to Peer Rejection and Acceptance: A Closer Look at Sensory Processing Sensitivity

Children vary in how strongly they are affected by peer acceptance and rejection, with some children showing heightened sensitivity to these experiences. This heightened susceptibility can be seen as a "for better and for worse" effect, where children who are more negatively impacted by peer rejection also benefit more from peer acceptance. This dissertation investigates sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) as a potential marker of this susceptibility among Chinese children and adolescents. Study 1 validated a Chinese version of the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) scale for measuring SPS. Results indicated that the Chinese HSC had good psychometric qualities, though refinements may be needed for use with younger children. Study 2 found that children with higher levels of SPS were more emotionally reactive to imagined peer acceptance and rejection scenarios, supporting the "for better and for worse" effect. Study 3 examined children's reactions to both peer acceptance and rejection feedback in a simulated social media environment among the same children. Results revealed variations in children’s reactivity to peer feedback but limited evidence for SPS as a consistent marker of susceptibility. Using a longitudinal design, Study 4 again found limited support for SPS as a marker of heightened susceptibility: Children higher in SPS generally did not show stronger associations between their peer relationships and their social-emotional functioning over time. Overall, the dissertation suggests that SPS functions at best as a context-dependent marker of susceptibility, rather than a universal one, and that long-term research may be needed to better understand how differential susceptibility may (or may not) develop over an individual’s lifespan. These findings may ultimately inform strategies to support children who are more sensitive to peer experiences.