Description
OBJECTIVE. Adverse early experiences, often associated with a lack of nurturing parental touch, can leave lasting effects on psychosocial development. Affective touch, mediated by C-Tactile afferents, plays a vital role in healthy development. However, prior research is largely retrospective, cross-sectional, and focused on either the infant, mother, or mother-infant dyad, leaving gaps in understanding infant affective touch sensitivity (CT-sensitivity) and the broader parental context involving both parents. The Sensitouch project takes a novel, prospective approach to study CT-sensitivity development in infants during their first six months, considering both parents' roles.METHODs. This ongoing prospective study involves 74 non-clinical parent-infant dyads. Infant CT-sensitivity is assessed at 1, 3, 8, 12, and 24 weeks of age, and parental CT-sensitivity is assessed before birth and at 12 and 24 weeks using an experiential stroking touch paradigm. ECG and respiration data are collected to calculate RR-interval (RRI), respiration rate (fR), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Parental CT-sensitivity is also assessed vicariously, through ratings of perceived pleasantness of touch interaction videos. Broader parental context is examined through pre-birth trait questionnaires covering personality, attachment, emotion regulation, touch attitudes, and loneliness, alongside state questionnaires administered pre- and post-birth assessments measuring couple satisfaction, caregiving touch, postnatal depression, sleep quality, bonding, and touch longing.
RESULTSs and DISCUSSION. Preliminary findings will be presented, offering a first contextual understanding of CT-sensitivity development in early life. The goal of this study is to identify risk and protective factors associated with early parental touch deprivation, to ultimately enhance prevention and intervention efforts.
| Période | 10 juin 2025 |
|---|---|
| Titre de l'événement | 5th Meeting International Association for the Study of Affective Touch |
| Type d'événement | Une conférence |
| Emplacement | Jena, AllemagneAfficher sur la carte |
| Degré de reconnaissance | International |