Social touch is associated with disrupted bodily self-concept in people with depersonalization symptoms.
Paula Celeste Salamone, Nadia Alejandra Dowzuk, Martina Nayla Gallo, Rebecca Boehme
Acta Psychologica June 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107307 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPeople 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 273 |
| Population | Non-clinical Argentinian adults |
| Keywords | Bodily self-awareness Depersonalization symptoms Embodied self Self-concept Social touch |
| Key finding | Depersonalization symptoms are linked to lower comfort with and seeking of social touch, which partially explains reduced self-concept clarity. |
Abstract
Social touch plays a fundamental role in bodily self-awareness and emotional regulation. Alterations in how touch is perceived or sought may contribute to disturbances in self-perception, such as those seen in depersonalization. This study examined the relationship between depersonalization symptoms, social touch acceptance and seeking, and self-concept clarity in a non-clinical Argentinian sample (N = 273). Participants completed an online body-mapping task to indicate acceptable touch areas from strangers, friends/family, and intimate partners, along with questionnaires assessing comfort with social touch, depersonalization symptoms, self-concept clarity, and other psychological factors. As expected, touch acceptance increased with relational closeness. Both greater comfort with social touch and higher acceptance of touch from intimate partners were positively associated with self-concept clarity. Mediation analysis revealed that seeking and comfort with social touch partially explained the relationship between depersonalization and self-concept clarity. Depersonalization symptoms were also linked to higher anxiety, depression, and negative affect, and lower positive affect and life satisfaction. These findings highlight the relevance of bodily and interpersonal processes in the experience of self and suggest that social touch may play a role in the development of interventions targeting depersonalization.