Abstract Background Resilience and interpersonal sensitivity are key psychological traits that modulate emotional responses. Resilience modulates emotional responses in a positive and adaptive nature, whereas interpersonal sensitivity does so in a negative and maladaptive manner. Aims & Objectives This study investigated the influence of resilience and interpersonal sensitivity on the evaluation of emotional word valence. We hypothesized that resilience would be associated with positive ratings of words, whereas interpersonal sensitivity would be associated with negative ratings. Method A total of 280 undergraduate and graduate students completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Participants rated the valence of 64 positive, 68 negative, and 62 neutral words on a nine-point Likert scale ranging from -4 (most negative) to +4 (most positive). Correlations among these variables were explored, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of CD-RISC and IPSM scores on word valence ratings. Additionally, gender differences were examined. Results Although CD-RISC and IPSM scores were inversely correlated, regression analyses revealed that both independently exhibited positive associations with valence ratings for both positive and negative words. These effects remained significant even after controlling for depressive and anxiety symptoms. Notably, in males, resilience was positively associated specifically with ratings of positive words, whereas in females, IPSM scores significantly predicted higher ratings for both positive and negative words. Discussion & Conclusions These findings suggest that resilience and interpersonal sensitivity, despite their inverse relationship, heighten emotional responses through distinct pathways, i.e., adaptive positivity and neurotic hyperreactivity, respectively. This divergence is particularly pronounced across genders. Future research investigating these mechanisms in clinical populations is warranted.