Touch Deprivation & Depression

Touch deprivation, particularly in infants, is associated with the development of depression and other mood and behavior disorders. Touch can contribute to self-esteem and general well being.

Touch Deprivation

Touch deprivation is the lack of physical interpersonal contact. Infants who experience touch deprivation may face social and psychological developmental challenges.

Depression

According to BabyZone.com, infants who are not handled enough may develop depressive symptoms, anger and aggression problems that last into adulthood.

Factors

According to research published in 1998 in the journal Cutis, people with the skin condition psoriasis who experienced touch deprivation as a result exhibited increased rates of depression.

Aggression

According to research published in 2002 in the journal Adolescence, children who experience touch deprivation, physical abuse and neglect may display impulsive, aggressive behavior; such behavior is associated with increased rates of depression.

Considerations

According to Dr. Robert W. Hatfield, Ph.D. of the Department of Psychology of the University of Cincinnati, children who experience touch deprivation may grow to be adults who are not physically nurturing.

References

• University of Cincinnati: Touch and Human Sexuality
• BabyZone.com: Benefits of Touch: Touch Deprivation
• Adolescence magazine: Violence and touch deprivation in adolescents
• PubMed:Perceived deprivation of social touch in psoriasis is associated with greater psychologic morbidity: an index of the stigma experience in dermatologic disorders