Journal of Nonverbal Behavior· 2026Q2
Disentangling Touch Aversion: A Systematic Investigation of Measurement Approaches, Behavioural Correlates, and Underlying Individual Differences
- 4citations
- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Touch aversion varies significantly, but its drivers are unclear; this study found that while most touch aversion measures correlate, partner-specific aversion is distinct. Touchability (body accessibility) relates to touch attitudes, especially in context (loved ones vs. strangers), and sensory/threat sensitivity explains individual differences.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Multiple touch aversion measures show convergent validity but also distinctions, with partner-specific aversion being a separate dimension.
- Touchability (body accessibility) is meaningfully associated with touch attitudes, showing context-specific patterns (e.g., partner vs. stranger).
- Discomfort distance preferences were unrelated to touch aversion measures.
- Sensory sensitivity relates to partner touch aversion; threat sensitivity relates to stranger touch aversion and general negative touch attitudes.
- Sensory sensitivity mediates the relationship between threat sensitivity and stranger touch aversion.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract Touch aversion and touch avoidance—negative attitudes toward and behavioural avoidance of physical contact—vary considerably across individuals and relationship contexts. However, the factors underlying these differences remain poorly understood. This observational study systematically investigated the relationships between different measures of touch aversion, their behavioural manifestations, and associated individual traits. We examined touch aversion using multiple questionnaires (Touch Avoidance Questionnaire, Social Touch Questionnaire, and a novel Receptivity measure), alongside behavioural measures of touchability (body accessibility) and discomfort distance preferences. Individual difference measures included autistic traits, sensory sensitivity, threat sensitivity, and attachment style. Results revealed both convergent validity and distinctions between touch aversion measures. Whereas most measures showed intercorrelations, partner-specific touch aversion represented a distinct dimension. Contrary to expectations, discomfort distance preferences were unrelated to touch aversion measures. However, touchability showed meaningful associations with touch attitudes, with relationship-specific patterns. Partner touch aversion was more strongly related to touchability with loved ones, whereas stranger touch aversion was more strongly related to touchability with strangers. Among the individual traits, sensory sensitivity was related to partner touch aversion, and threat sensitivity was related to both stranger touch aversion and general negative attitudes toward touch. In addition, sensory sensitivity mediated the relationship between threat sensitivity and stranger touch aversion, suggesting these psychological processes work together rather than independently. These findings highlight the importance of considering relationship context when studying touch preferences and suggest that threat-related processing may be a key factor in individual differences in touch aversion.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive NeuroscienceNeuroscience