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

Birgit Hasenack; Larissa L. Meijer; Jonas C.C. Kamps; A. Mahon; Giulia Titone; H.C. Dijkerman; Anouk Keizer

doi:10.3390/ijerph20053855

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

Birgit Hasenack, Larissa L. Meijer (Corresponding author), Jonas C.C. Kamps, A. Mahon, Giulia Titone, H.C. Dijkerman, Anouk Keizer

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

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 language	English
Article number	3855
Number of pages	10
Journal	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume	20
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053855
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2023
Externally published	Yes

Funding

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

Funders	Funder number
Utrecht University

Keywords

longing for touch
quality of life
touch deprivation
COVID-19
Touch Perception
Pandemics
Humans
Quality of Life
Touch

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.3390/ijerph20053855

Cite this

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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.",

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AU - Mahon, A.

AU - Titone, Giulia

AU - Dijkerman, H.C.

AU - Keizer, Anouk

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

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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