1Department of Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
2School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
3Department of Communication Studies, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, USA
4Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
5Department of Communication Studies, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, USA
Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.
2018,
Vol. 6 No. 1, 27-34
DOI: 10.12691/rpbs-6-1-4
Copyright © 2018 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Kory Floyd, Colter D. Ray, Lisa J. van Raalte, James B. Stein, Mark Alan Generous. Interpersonal Touch Buffers Pain Sensitivity in Romantic Relationships but Heightens Sensitivity between Strangers and Friends.
Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2018; 6(1):27-34. doi: 10.12691/rpbs-6-1-4.
Correspondence to: Kory Floyd, Department of Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. Email:
koryfloyd@email.arizona.eduAbstract
A variety of evidence suggests that interpersonal behaviors such as touch can have pain-alleviating effects on recipients. Less well understood is how touch affects sensitivity to pain in the first place, and whether its effects depend on the nature of the relationship in which it occurs. In the present experiment, 55 adults who had not been diagnosed with a pain disorder were exposed to a cold pressor pain induction with an opposite-sex stranger, platonic friend, or romantic partner who either touched their shoulders, was present in the room without touching them, or was absent during the cold pressor. The outcome variable was the self-reported level of pain induced by the stimulus at the moment when the stimulus became painful (i.e., pain sensitivity). Compared to presence or absence, touch dampened pain sensitivity for romantic partners, allowing them to tolerate more intensity before the stimulus became painful. Touch had the opposite effect for friends and strangers, heightening their sensitivity to pain.
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