Touch plays a crucial role in fostering secure attachment across the lifespan, from infancy through adulthood, by serving as a vital "warm behavior."
Affective touch is a critical component in the formation and maintenance of secure attachment. It is widely recognized as a fundamental "warm behavior" that profoundly impacts emotional bonding and perceived security in relationships.
Touch and Infant Attachment
For infants, affective touch from caregivers is considered one of the most important warm behaviors for developing secure attachment (Anisfeld et al., 1990; Duhn, 2010). This physical connection is vital because it provides comfort, security, and a direct form of communication that helps infants feel safe, loved, and understood. This early experience of nurturing touch lays the groundwork for a child's healthy emotional and psychological development, contributing significantly to the establishment of secure attachment styles.
Touch and Adult Attachment
The significance of touch extends beyond early childhood, remaining crucial throughout life, especially in romantic relationships. In adult couples, affective touch is also perceived to be important for developing attachment security (Jakubiak and Feeney, 2016). It serves as a powerful non-verbal expression of care, intimacy, and support, reinforcing the emotional bond and enhancing the sense of security between partners.
