Affectionate Touch to Promote Relational, Psychological, and Physical Well-Being in Adulthood: A Theoretical Model and Review of the Research

Abstract

Throughout the life span, individuals engage in affectionate touch with close others. Touch receipt promotes well-being in infancy, but the impacts of touch in adult close relationships have been largely unexplored. In this article, we propose that affectionate touch receipt promotes relational, psychological, and physical well-being in adulthood, and we present a theoretical mechanistic model to explain why affectionate touch may promote these outcomes. The model includes pathways through which touch could affect well-being by reducing stress and by promoting well-being independent of stress. Specifically, two immediate outcomes of affectionate touch receipt-relational-cognitive changes and neurobiological changes-are described as important mechanisms underlying the effects of affectionate touch on well-being. We also review and evaluate the existing research linking affectionate touch to well-being in adulthood and propose an agenda to advance research in this area. This theoretical perspective provides a foundation for future work on touch in adult close relationships.

Interpersonal touch enhances cognitive control: A neurophysiological investigation.

“…Despite the established importance of touch for emotional and physical wellbeing (Coan, 2008;Jakubiak & Feeney, 2016 ), touch remains relatively understudied compared to other major senses and forms of communication. For the first time, we tested the impact of non-threatening touch between romantic partners on the neural, behavioural, and subjective correlates of cognitive control.…”

“…Furthermore, by making social proximity and interaction salient, affectionate (non-threatening) touch from close others instils encouragement, calmness, trust, and security, promoting beneficial outcomes including cooperation (Kraus, Huang, & Keltner, 2010), reduced stress reactivity (Coan, 2008;Coan, Beckes, Gonzales, Maresh, Brown, & Hasselmo, 2017;Coan, Schaefer, & Davidson, 2006), and wellbeing (Debrot, Schoebi, Perrez, & Horn, 2013;Jakubiak & Feeney, 2016).…”

Experiential Addiction Treatment: Creating Positive Connection through Sociometry and Therapeutic Spiral Model Safety Structures

“…Moreno observed and attested to the benefits experienced by patients when a nurse made physical contact by holding a hand or placing a hand on a shoulder to settle a person thereby alleviating their suffering [48]. More recently, Jakubiak & Feeney [49], have provided a review of the research on physical touch and its relationship to wellbeing. Touch has sometimes been referred to as a fifth sense because the skin is the oldest and largest of our sense organs and the first to develop [50].…”

Positive Massage for Couples’ Wellbeing and Relationships: The Bridge between Positive Psychology and Massage

“…Notably, tactile intervention in PAIs is particularly lacking, and as far as current authors are aware, no literature seems to be available on this in the field of positive psychology. This is despite the positive effect of touch in bonding and in delivering associated relational benefits [18] [19]. Indeed, among romantic couples, physical affection shown by touch has been demonstrated to be associated with overall relationship satisfaction [20] and higher level of wellbeing [21] [22].…”