Study: Hugs Protect against Conflict-Related Psychological Distress

Sci-News.com ^ | Oct 4, 2018 | News Staff / Source

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Individuals who engage more frequently in interpersonal touch enjoy better physical and psychological health and improved relationships.

Researchers have proposed that interpersonal touch benefits well-being by helping to buffer against the deleterious consequences of psychological stress, and touch might be a particularly effective buffer of interpersonal conflict.

This possibility holds important potential implications for health and well-being because conflicts with others are associated with a large range of deleterious psychological and physical outcomes.

However, the generalizability of past research on this topic is limited because studies have largely focused on the role of touch in romantic relationships.

In the new study, Carnegie Mellon University researchers Michael Murphy and his colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University focused on hugs.

“A sample of 404 adults were interviewed every night for 14 consecutive days about their conflicts, hug receipt, and positive and negative affect,” the study authors explained.

“Results indicated that there was an interaction between hug receipt and conflict exposure such that receiving a hug was associated with a smaller conflict-related decrease in positive affect and a smaller conflict-related increase in negative affect when assessed concurrently.”

“Hug receipt was also prospectively associated with a smaller conflict-related increase in next day negative affect but was not associated with next day positive affect.”

While correlational, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that hugs buffer against deleterious changes in affect associated with experiencing interpersonal conflict.

“This research is in its early stages,” Dr. Murphy said.

“We still have questions about when, how, and for whom hugs are most helpful.”

“However, our study suggests that consensual hugs might be useful for showing support to somebody enduring relationship conflict.”

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Reminded me of this funny episode of Sanford & Son...

There'll Be Some Changes Made

"There'll Be Some Changes Made" was the 67th overall episode of Sanford and Son. Also the fifth episode of Season Four, it first aired October 11, 1974.

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Episode synopsis

Lamont moves out after a fight with Fred, sick and tired of Fred's (Redd Foxx) grouchiness in general and hostility toward other minority groups in particular.

Hoping to change his dad's attitude, Lamont invites a sensitivity group to the Sanford house.

Fred lures his son back by reluctantly agreeing to allow Lamont's eccentric encounter group to hold its meeting in their home.

This episode introduces the recurring character Ah Chew (Pat Morita).

_____________________________

Full episode here:
Sanford and Son - There'll be Some Changes Made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL_bBsN_-BQ

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Ping! (((HUGS!!)))

:)

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Hugs are good in certain contexts, but a blanket endorsement is way off base and should be seen as suspect.

I think that such human contact can be used as cover for insincerity or even to a nefarious purpose. After all, Judas used a kiss to betray the Word Made Flesh.

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[I want the USA back]

Sure. If a man hugs a woman he’ll be accused of sexual assault. Hug a dog or a cat.

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[wastoute]

That’s my thought. Any young man falling for that may deserve what he gets.

[timeflies]

I call BS on this. ALL the people I have ever known who were the “must have or give hugs types” were the over emotional types who really turned against you if they didn’t get their way on decisions.

[Overtaxed]

Don’t touch me.

[Pollard]

I want one

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I agree. Hugs can be extremely creepy.

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Then again...

[Mr. Jeeves]

Sorry, but thanks to #metoo you won’t be getting any hugs in the foreseeable future. :)

[bigbob]

Fred was ahead of his time, now she could sue for sexual harassment and take his entire “collection”.

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I am definitely not the “huggy” type. Feel really awkward when a friend or grateful person approaches me to hug.

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[fwdude]

I completely agree with you. The overly “huggy” type people cheapen it by their willingness to give it to everyone, even people they barely know. It is often insincere and a show of self-announced betterism.

I’m the same about hand-holding for prayer in churches. Can’t stand it most of the time. It’s a completely novel practice unknown to past generations.

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[Luke21]

Try hugging women outside the family. You will be accused of something. It’s all changed now.

Of all the hypocritical crap the psychobabble people come up with, this is the worst. They are telling people to hug their same sex.