We are currently experiencing unique circumstances. Never before has such a diverse group of people (rich, poor, old, young, happy, unhappy, healthy, unhealthy male, female, etc.) been confronted with a prolonged deficit of physical contact. What are the effects of this phenomenon on our mental well being? Researchers aim to answer this question in a new study.
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During the worldwide pandemic, many people struggle with the fact that they cannot physically touch or embrace others. Scientists at Utrecht University decided to use this unique opportunity to investigate the psychological effect of social distancing and, in particular, a lack of physical contact.
In a BNR radio interview, researcher Anouk Keizer explained how she and her team usually go about studying the effects of physical touch on humans. Research subjects had to explain their emotional reaction to different forms of physical contact. This information was then linked with psychological problems and the general well being of the test subjects in order to map potential links.
These types of physical experiments are not possible right now. However, an intriguing research opportunity has arisen as we are currently experiencing extraordinary conditions due to the pandemic.. Never before has such a diverse group of people (rich, poor, old, young, happy, unhappy, healthy, unhealthy male, female, etc.) been confronted with a prolonged deficit of physical contact.
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The importance of physical contact between humans has been researched extensively in the past. Scientists, for example, already learned that two types of touch can be distinguished: Social touching (hugging, stroking, etc.) and functional touching (touching your mug of coffee to see if it is hot). Both of these types of touch are processed in a different area of the brain. Social touching is linked to an area of the brain that also processes emotions, including our sense of security and togetherness.
Earlier research shows that physical touching can lower stress hormones and increase oxytocin. A study from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine showed that physical contact could mitigate depression. According to research published in the science journal Biological Psychology, frequent hugging may also lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. A study published in the journal: Research on Language and Social Interaction shows the benefits of embracing and patting children that experienced distress. The list of potential beneficial impact goes on and on.
With all these benefits of physical contact, one might think that a lack thereof will have adverse effects. The Utrecht University study is currently underway (digitally). According to BNR, 4000 participants have registered themselves, a very high number for this type of research.
It is expected that psychologists will get a lot of insights on the effects of prolonged social distancing from this the rich vein of expected research data. We aim to keep you posted on these insights as soon as the resulting papers get published.
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