Social touch is associated with disrupted bodily self-concept in people with depersonalization symptoms.
Acta Psychologica June 20, 2026 Paula Celeste Salamone, Nadia Alejandra Dowzuk, Martina Nayla Gallo et al.
People who experience depersonalization symptoms—feelings of detachment from oneself—report less comfort with social touch and seek it less, which in turn is linked to a less clear sense of self. In a survey of 273 non-clinical Argentinian adults, touch acceptance increased with relational closeness, and both comfort with social touch and acceptance of touch from intimate partners were positively associated with self-concept clarity. Depersonalization symptoms were also associated with higher anxiety, depression, and negative affect, and lower positive affect and life satisfaction. The findings suggest that social touch may be relevant for interventions targeting depersonalization.