Touch is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, playing a crucial role in our emotional and physical well-being and contributing to buffering and reducing stress. But did you know that the benefits of touch can vary significantly depending on the gender of the person receiving it and the relationship between the individuals involved?
We wanted to know whether touch from a romantic partner or a stranger from the opposite gender could alleviate stress, and how these effects might differ between men and women.
To investigate this, we did a study in which 222 participants (111 opposite-gender couples) were subjected to a stressful task during which they received false feedback about their performance. While doing the task, they were touched either by their romantic partner, or by a stranger of the opposite gender, or not touched at all. We measured both how stressed participants felt subjectively (by asking them to rate their feelings of stress on seven emotional dimensions, including how nervous, upset, and self-confident they felt) and physiologically by assessing their heart rate variability.
### Key Findings
Men and women responded differently to being touched by their partners. Women who were touched by their romantic partners reported lower subjective stress levels compared to those who were not touched. Men did not report lower stress when touched by their romantic partners, indicating that women might derive more emotional comfort from partner touch in stressful situations, or at least that they are more inclined to report they do.
When looking at stranger touch, we found differences between men and women. Interestingly, women reported feeling less stressed when touched by a stranger of the opposite gender, but their physiological stress markers (heart rate variability) indicated increased stress. This discrepancy suggests that while women might consciously feel comforted by a stranger's touch, their bodies react differently, showing a possibly unconscious reaction to a stranger’s touch, perhaps reflecting underlying discomfort or vigilance.
Men did not show significant changes in stress levels, whether touched by a partner or a stranger. This finding aligns with previous research suggesting that men might have different coping mechanisms and tend to expect less support in stressful situations.
### Take-aways
These findings highlight the importance of considering gender when studying the effects of touch on stress reactions. For women, touch from a romantic partner can be a powerful stress buffer, but touch from a stranger can have mixed effects. For men, the benefits of touch might be less pronounced.
These results align with stereotypical gender roles. Indeed, women are expected to display positive emotions with other people, and this might explain why they reported being less stressed when touched by a stranger while showing increased physiological arousal. On the other hand, men are socialized to be more self-reliant and to count less on others for support. This might explain why they did not show any reaction to their partner or a stranger’s touch.
Our findings underscore the complex interplay of factors on how touch is experienced. They point to the importance of seeking consent when touching another person. Women in particular might find it difficult not only to disclose but also to perceive their stress in the physical proximity of strangers of the opposite gender. Prevention programs aiming to teach self-knowledge and assertiveness could be particularly important for women.
Touch is a powerful tool for emotional regulation, but its effects are nuanced. By understanding these gender differences, we can better harness the power of touch to improve well-being and manage stress in our daily lives. Whether it's a comforting hand on the shoulder from a loved one or a reassuring pat from a friend, the right touch at the right time can make all the difference.
**For Further Reading**
Debrot, A., Stellar, J. E., Dan-Glauser, E., & Klumb, P. L. (2024). Touch as a stress buffer? Gender differences in subjective and physiological responses to partner and stranger touch. _Journal of Nonverbal Behavior_, _48_(3), 345–364. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-024-00455-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-024-00455-y)
**Anik Debrot** is a tenured lecturer at the University of Lausanne. She investigates how affectionate touch can promote well-being and develops online interventions to support mental health.
**Jennifer Stellar** is an associate professor at the University of Toronto. She studies how prosocial emotions promote self-transcendent behaviors and well-being.
**Elise Dan-Glauser** is an associate professor at the University of Lausanne. She investigates the determinants of specific emotion reactivity as well as emotion regulation efficiency.
**Petra Klumb** is a is a professor of personnel and organizational psychology at the University of Fribourg. Her research interests revolve around the relationship of work and health.