The untenable omission of touch in maternal sensitivity and attachment research
Corresponding Author
Maria Botero
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Correspondence
Maria Botero Ph.D., Associate Professor, Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, Box 2447, Huntsville, TX, 77340, USA
Email: mbotero@shsu.edu
Search for more papers by this authorHillary A. Langley
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Venta
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Maria Botero
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Correspondence
Maria Botero Ph.D., Associate Professor, Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, Box 2447, Huntsville, TX, 77340, USA
Email: mbotero@shsu.edu
Search for more papers by this authorHillary A. Langley
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Venta
Psychology and Philosophy Department, Sam Houston State University, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Despite an increase in research examining maternal and infant touch, and documenting its public health impact, this mode of interaction has historically been omitted from related fields of developmental research in human and non-human primates. The broad aim of this review is to examine to what extent mother–infant touch has been included in relational paradigms and research. We argue that although theoretical and empirical scholarship on attachment and maternal sensitivity conceptualizes touch as fundamental to caregiver–infant interactions and child development more broadly, touch is rarely operationalized or measured in caregiver–infant interaction paradigms or clinical interventions. Data from primarily human, but also non-human, primates are reviewed to document the importance of touch, and clinical research is reviewed to document the formal use of touch in human attachment and sensitivity research and intervention. The review closes with recommended directions for future research and related implications.
Highlights
- Review examining to what extent mother–infant touch has been included in relational paradigms and research across human and non-human primates.
- Data from studies in human attachment, sensitivity research and intervention, and mother–infant interaction in non-human primates are reviewed.
- Touch is theoretically essential, but practically excluded, from attachment coding, maternal sensitivity research, and intervention paradigms. Recommended directions for future research are provided.
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