Cut-off scores for sensitivity interpretation of the Korean Highly Sensitive Person Scale

This study aimed to replicate findings on sensitivity groups, their proportions, and cut-off scores in a South Korean population. Uniquely, it extended the age range to include participants up to 80 years old, representing the first attempt to validate these constructs across such a broad age spectrum in this cultural context. A total of 1773 South Koreans in their 20s to 80s participated in the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) questionnaire survey, conducted to establish a cut-off score to be used more conveniently in real-world scenarios. The results showed that 22.0%, 45.3%, and 32.7% belonged to the low-, medium-, and high-sensitivity groups, respectively. The average item scores of 3.81 and 4.73 served as cut-off points distinguishing low- from medium-sensitivity and medium- from high-sensitivity groups, respectively. This study represents applied research on the use of HSPS. Research on HSPS cut-off scores considering cultural or demographic characteristics is still in its early stages, and accumulating data through various surveys is key for in-depth comparative analyses.