Perspectives on interpersonal touch are related to subjective sleep quality

Abstract

Affective touch has been reported for its calming effects; however, it is less clear whether touch is associated with sleep. Here, the relationship between different touch variables and self-reported sleep indicators was investigated. Data were extracted from the Touch Test, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2020. Data from a sample of 15,049 healthy adults from the UK (mean age = 56.13, SD = 13.8; 75.4% female) were analysed. Participants were asked to attribute positive, negative, or no effects on sleep to hugs, strokes, massages, intimate touch, and sleep onset with and without touch. The time since last intentional touch, touch amount satisfaction, and childhood bed routine with hugs and kisses were assessed. Sleep quality, duration, latency, wake after sleep onset and diurnal preference were measured. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regressions. Affective touch before sleep was perceived to have positive effects on sleep. Touch recency emerged as a significant predictor for some sleep variables, with a longer timespan since the last intentional touch relating to improved sleep quality, longer sleep duration, and shorter and fewer instances of waking up after sleep onset in some participants.Experiencing too much touch was related to lower sleep quality and higher instances of waking up after sleep onset. These findings highlight the importance of interpersonal touch for subjective sleep quality.

Loneliness and Marital Quality as Predictors of Older Adults’ Insomnia Symptoms

“…This may be because one partner's snoring and unexpected sudden movements have been shown to disrupt the other partner's sleep (Troxel et al, 2007). Specifically with regard to affectionate touch, Dueren et al (2022) found that although most adults in their sample perceived that affectionate touch during co-sleeping would benefit their sleep, it was actually related to lower levels of subjective sleep quality, including increased reports of WASO. While evidence regarding associations between co-sleeping and health and well-being are mixed, we do know that people are actually less likely to report sleeping in the same bed as their partners as they get older (Lauderdale et al, 2014).…”

“…Some research suggests that spousal touch while co-sleeping is associated with increased sleep quality (Shahid, 2017) and related outcomes, such as improved mood (Roberts et al, 2022). However, other research has found negative associations between touch while co-sleeping and sleep quality (Dueren et al, 2022). This may be because one partner's snoring and unexpected sudden movements have been shown to disrupt the other partner's sleep (Troxel et al, 2007).…”

Dyadic Investigation of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Daily Sleep Health in Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers

“…Specifically, interpartner support-seeking behaviors may promote experiences of closeness and safety that lengthen patients' sleep duration, which has been shown to be lower than the recommended amount in patients with cancer (14,56). Supporting this perspective, studies have shown that intimate behaviors such as interpersonal touch (89,90) and handholding (91,92) are related to improved sleep quality and shorter nighttime awakening. Given the limited empirical evidence on dyadic associations between PTSS and sleep, future studies are warranted to test each of these speculations.…”

New aspects of sleep medicine and sleep research

“…Düren et al (2023) report on an issue that has not been investigated too frequently in the past, i.e. interpersonal touch in relationship to subjective sleep quality.…”

“…Though this is more of a "negative" result, I guess it can be considered very important for users of hormonal contraception. Düren et al (2023) report on an issue that has not been investigated too frequently in the past, i.e. interpersonal touch in relationship to subjective sleep quality.…”