Touch Experiences and Attitudes Linked to Mental Health and Hormonal Responses

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Heidelberg University Hospital reveals that interpersonal affectionate touch plays a crucial role in social bonding, stress regulation, and psychological well-being. The study aimed to validate the German version of the touch experiences and attitudes questionnaire (TEAQ-G) and investigate how past touch experiences and attitudes toward touch relate to social relationships, mental health, emotional states, and hormonal responses. The findings suggest that positive childhood touch and current intimate touch are associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as well as higher resilience, family functioning, and relationship satisfaction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study validated the German version of the touch experiences and attitudes questionnaire (TEAQ-G), confirming its reliability and validity as a tool for assessing touch experiences and attitudes.
  • Positive childhood touch experiences were associated with more favorable daily emotional states in adulthood, including lower levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and burden related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Current intimate touch was linked to lower stress, pandemic-related burden, reduced loneliness, higher happiness, and moderately higher salivary oxytocin levels.
  • Both childhood touch experiences and attitudes toward intimate touch significantly moderated the relationship between daily affectionate touch reports and individuals' happiness, stress levels, pandemic-related burden, and cortisol concentrations.
  • The study highlights the developmental importance of early touch experiences and the lasting impact of both early and ongoing touch on attachment, social relationships, psychological well-being, and hormonal responses in everyday life.
  • The research involved 1,319 study participants and used ecological momentary assessment data from 253 subjects over two days, resulting in 3,036 data points.
  • The study's findings emphasize the need for further research on the importance of touch in mental health and well-being.

Statistics:

  • 1,319 study participants were involved in the research.
  • 253 subjects provided ecological momentary assessment data over two days, resulting in 3,036 data points.
  • The study reported a significant association between positive childhood touch experiences and more favorable daily emotional states in adulthood (p < 0.05).
  • Current intimate touch was linked to lower cortisol concentrations and moderately higher salivary oxytocin levels.

Sources:

  • Newly validated touch experiences and attitudes questionnaire in German (TEAQ-G) is linked to social functioning, mental health, and hormonal stress regulation. Scientific Reports, 2025,15(1):1-16.
  • NewsRx. Heidelberg University Hospital Researchers Illuminate Research in Mental Health Diseases and Conditions [Newly validated touch experiences and attitudes questionnaire in German (TEAQ-G) is linked to social functioning, mental health, and ...]. Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 593.