Touch Deprivation and Affective Touch Perception during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Andy Mahon · Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) · 2020
Interpersonal touch is an important factor in healthy human functioning and socialisation. Associated with numerous benefits in areas like mental health, interpersonal communication and relationships and physical health, conversely, touch deprivation has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes. Touch can also be perceived as pleasant, and moreover, it has been suggested that the pleasantness of touch can be influenced by external factors. During the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, many countries worldwide experienced an unprecedented period of social isolation regulations being implemented to curb the spread. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of the level and duration of social isolation regulations on longing for touch. Similarly, this study investigated whether there was a significant difference in the rating of pleasantness of affective and non-affective touch. Finally, the relationship between longing for touch and the rating of pleasantness of affective touch was examined. 4386 participants were recruited using an online survey format. The results showed there was a significant difference on participant’s longing for touch score based on both level and duration of social isolation regulations. Moreover, affective touch was rated as significantly more pleasant than non-affective touch. Finally, longing for touch significantly described 12.7% and 0.4% of the variance in the rating of pleasantness of affective touch and non-affective touch respectively, fitting with previous studies showing pleasantness of touch can be influenced by external factors. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the restrictions implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic had significant consequences on participant’s longing for touch, and this longing for touch significantly impacted their perception of pleasantness of both affective and non-affective touch.