Impact of Sensory Processing Sensitivity on Job Satisfaction: Burnout as a Mediating Mechanism in Employees of Software Companies

Authors

  • Mahnoor Fatima BS (Hons) Scholar, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5870-2876
  • Faiz Younas Lecturer, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7086-0538
  • Shazia Qayyum Associate Professor, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v6i4.446

Keywords:

Burnout, Job Satisfaction, Employees, Mediation, Organisational Psychology, Sensitivity, Sensory Processing, Software Companies

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), burnout, and job satisfaction among employees of software companies. It was hypothesized that (a) there will be a positive relation between sensory processing sensitivity and burnout (disengagement and exhaustion) and negative relations between sensory processing sensitivity and job satisfaction, and burnout and job satisfaction; (b) sensory processing sensitivity and burnout would predict job satisfaction, and (c) burnout would mediate the relation between sensory processing sensitivity and job satisfaction. The research design employed was a cross-sectional correlational design, involving a sample of 135 employees from various software companies in Pakistan, aged between 23 and 50 years (M = 29.94, SD = 5.30), selected through a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The measures included a Socio-demographic Information Sheet, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the Generic Job Satisfaction Scale. The results showed a positive correlation between sensory processing sensitivity and exhaustion subscale of burnout (r=.20, p< .05) and a negative correlation between both subscales of burnout, disengagement (r=-.27, p<.01) and exhaustion (r=-.17, p< .05), to job satisfaction. Moreover, disengagement subscale of burnout was identified as a significant predictor of job satisfaction and it also fully mediated the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and job satisfaction, whereas the exhaustion subscale did not significantly mediate the relationship between SPS and job satisfaction. The study results give insights into the psychological processes that determine the performance and well-being of software workers and the applications of organizational psychology interventions and human resource procedures.

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Fatima, M., Younas , F., & Qayyum, S. (2025). Impact of Sensory Processing Sensitivity on Job Satisfaction: Burnout as a Mediating Mechanism in Employees of Software Companies. Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology, 6(4), 475–491. https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v6i4.446

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