Polish adaptation and validation of the standard 27-item Highly Sensitive Person Scale.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to create a Polish adaptation of the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), assess its psychometric properties and conduct factor analysis in a group of adults.

Methods: Five hundred two students of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, aged 19-40 were studied, assessed by the 27-item HSPS, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and NEO-FFI Questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed in two subgroups (N = 250 and N = 252, respectively).

Results: The Polish version was accepted by the authors of the scale. Cronbach's α was 0.90 and the ICC interclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for retest data. Exploratory factor analysis distinguished a three-factor model of the HSPS scale (EOE, LST and AES factors), and confirmatory analysis confirmed its better fit. The HSPS scale, EOE and LST showed a significant relationship with the BDI and "Neuroticism" and a negative relationship with "Extraversion", while the AES factor was strongly related to "Openness". Women scored higher on all HSPS subscales, HSPS total score and "Conscientiousness".

Conclusions: The Polish version of the HSPS scale is characterized by good reliability, consistency and validity, and the results indicate a three-factor model. We recommend the use of the HSPS scale in Polish conditions by mental health professionals.