Longing for Touch and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Birgit Hasenack, Larissa Meijer*, Jonas Kamps, Andy Mahon, Giulia Titone, Chris Dijkerman, Anouk Keizer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

To combat the spread of the COVID-19, regulations were introduced to limit physical interactions. This could induce a longing for touch in the general population and subsequently impact social, psychological, physical and environmental quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between COVID-19 regulations, longing for touch and QoL. A total of 1978 participants from different countries completed an online survey, including questions about their general wellbeing and the desire to be touched. In our sample, 83% of participants reported a longing for touch. Longing for touch was subsequently associated with a lower physical, psychological and social QoL. No association was found with environmental QoL. These findings highlight the importance of touch for QoL and suggest that the COVID-19 regulations have concurrent negative consequences for the wellbeing of the general population.
Original languageEnglish
Article number3855
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume20
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was funded by Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science COVID-19 Fund.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • longing for touch
  • quality of life
  • touch deprivation
  • COVID-19

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