An Exploratory Study on the Subjective Well-Being of Highly Sensitive Persons: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of South Korea and Japan

This study aims to explore the psychological mechanisms influencing the happiness of Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) and to establish a foundation for culturally tailored support measures, addressing the scarcity of empirical research on their subjective well-being (SWB) in South Korea. To this end, using the extensive body of research from Japan as a comparative reference, this study employs a narrative literature review to analyze the impact of each country’s cultural characteristics on the well-being of HSPs. The results reveal that an HSP’s sensitivity has a dual nature: it acts as a risk factor that can diminish well-being due to vulnerability to environmental stimuli, while also functioning as a protective factor that can enhance it through strengths such as aesthetic sensitivity. Furthermore, the study identified a key cultural difference: ‘relational factors’ have a more decisive impact on the SWB of HSPs in collectivism-oriented South Korea, whereas ‘internal coping methods’ are more critical for their counterparts in Japan, where emotional regulation is highly valued. Based on this analysis, this study suggests specific directions for future domestic HSP research and is expected to contribute to the development of effective psychological support strategies that consider the unique characteristics of Korean HSPs.