Physical touch in a changing world: Guidance for the mental health nurse

Physical contact with other people is an essential health activity (Johansson et al., 2020). For example, caring for one another is expressed through physical touch, whether it be soothing a small child who is crying, embracing a lover, or physically supporting a frail, older person (Strozier et al., 2003). Likewise, physical contact is used to connect people socially through, for example, greeting one with a handshake or, in some cultures, kissing cheeks or touching noses (Prisco, 2014). Physical touch can also be used inappropriately, as evidenced by ongoing reports of child and elder abuse or exploitation through unequal or gendered power roles (Davin et al., 2019)