RETRACTED: Biopsychosocial intersections of social/affective touch and psychiatry: Implications of ‘touch hunger’ during COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Humans are neurobiologically wired for touch receptivity. Social touch is a common and mutual way of expressing affection, care, and intimacy. From an evolutionary perspective, affiliative and affectionate touch are considered necessary for social and cognitive development throughout life-stages and across species. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health threat has mandated social distancing as a measure to contain the global outbreak. Travel restrictions, lockdown, and quarantine have led to separation and segregation, giving rise to social touch deprivation that might have adverse biopsychosocial consequences. Methods: Affective touch has rarely been discussed within the purview of social psychiatry. We attempted to review the neurobiological, social, and behavioural correlates of social and sexual touch, as well as the neurophysiological models involved. Results: The unmyelinated peripheral C-fibre afferents projecting to insular cortex and somatosensory areas form the prime pathway for affective touch. ‘Top-down’ modulation via the periaqueductal grey area, rostroventral medulla and sub-cortical structures, and ‘Bottom-up’ approach via the dorsal horn of the spine form the two theoretical models of ‘social touch’ system. The mu - opioid receptor (MOR) implicated in the Brain Opioid Theory of Social Attachment (BOTSA) and social neuropeptides like oxytocin and vasopressin are the primary neurochemical substrates involved. Sexual intimacy involves other neurotransmitters, with increased oxytocin activity in the limbic structures, Nucleus Accumbens, Anterior Cingulate, and Prefrontal Cortex. The discrimination and amalgamation of touch senses, their affiliative value and emotional valence in humans are based on a complex interplay between psychobiological, environmental, and personal factors. Conclusion: The neurobehavioral and emotional effects of ‘touch hunger’ and strategies to mitigate it during COVID-19 are discussed in the context of psychoneuroimmunity and stress.

Uncertainty, Sex and Sexuality during the Pandemic: Impact on Psychosocial Resilience

“…It is known to give rise to positivity and bonding [71]. Social touch can include expressions of intimacy, expectations, care, well-being, and mood [72]. Social touch is closely related to affective modulation via release of oxytocin, vasopressin, mu-opioid receptor stimulation, stimulation of coupling between ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG).…”

“…Social touch is closely related to affective modulation via release of oxytocin, vasopressin, mu-opioid receptor stimulation, stimulation of coupling between ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG). Sexual touch implicates other areas as well, like anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), limbic system, nucleus accumbens (NA), and PFC [72]. There is also a role of serotonin on the positive affect of affiliative touch, discriminative affective touch, social dependency [73][74][75].…”

“…During the Covid-19 pandemic, separation of partners, physical distancing practices, fear of illness have given birth to "touch starvation" or "touch hunger", which is all the more relevant for frontline workers, infected individuals and alike [72]. This deprivation is seen to be associated with disruption of resilience, and increase in stress and trauma [77].…”

Out of touch: Touch deprivation and affective touch perception during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition, interpersonal touch is associated with a higher quality of life (Floyd, 2014). Indeed, previous, pre-COVID-19, research showed that touch deprivation increases stress, disrupts psychological resilience as well as coping with stressful situations, which can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression (Banerjee et al, 2021). However, these previous studies have not been performed during global social distancing measures but focused on individuals who experienced touch deprivation even under unrestricted societal circumstances (Field, 2010).…”

“…the insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (Löken, Wessberg, Morrison, McGlone, & Olausson, 2009). These areas have been suggested to account for the affective component of this kind of touch (Banerjee et al, 2021). Besides bottom-up processing of CT-optimal touch, topdown processes, such as contextual and social factors (e.g.…”