Effect of warm pressure on feelings of social connection with close others

Abstract

Social touch, such as hugging and hand-holding, may aid in the maintenance of feelings of social connection. Research on gentle stroking has demonstrated its social-affective effects. However, other elements of touch that might contribute to feelings of social connection are poorly understood. The current research seeks to determine the effect of warmth and pressure, given their involvement in social touch, on feelings of social connection with close others. In a 2 × 2 within-subjects experiment, 75 participants (M age = 19.89, 77.30 % women), were exposed to repeated trials of warm or neutral temperature packs, combined with deep or light pressure from weighted blankets, while they viewed images of close others. Feelings of social connection towards the pictured individuals were collected after each trial. After adjusting for age, there was an interaction such that warm deep pressure increased feelings of social connection compared to warm light pressure and neutral deep pressure. Individual differences in interoceptive sensibility also moderated effects, with greater clarity in interoceptive signals predicting higher feelings of social connection during warm deep pressure (vs. warm light pressure). The combination of warmth and pressure, therefore, increases feelings of social connection toward close others compared to warmth or pressure alone. Results are the first to demonstrate a role of pressure in feelings of social connection and are consistent with perspectives emphasizing afferent feedback from the body in socioemotional experience.