Understanding Affective Touch: Exploring Faith Based Individual Differences
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Ahmed, Ramisa. 2025. Understanding Affective Touch: Exploring Faith Based Individual Differences. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]
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Text (Understanding Affective Touch: Exploring Faith Based Individual Differences)
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Abstract or Description
The impact of affective touch on mental and physical well-being is well-documented across all life stages. However, individual preferences, experiences, and attitudes toward affective touch can vary significantly based on factors such as age, gender, and attachment. This thesis investigates individual differences in perceptions and attitudes towards affective touch, with a specific focus on the role of faith and religion. Research on how religion influences attitudes toward touch is limited and often based on outdated assumptions. This thesis aims to advance understanding by exploring how religious beliefs shape touch attitudes, addressing existing gaps, and providing updated explanations.
The first part of the thesis utilises secondary data from the Touch Test to examine differences in touch attitudes between religious and non-religious individuals across various situations and comfort levels with touch. The findings indicate that religious individuals generally exhibit more positive attitudes towards touch compared to their non-religious counterparts. However, this does not translate to increased comfort with touch on specific body areas, which is influenced by the area touched and the toucher.
The latter part of the thesis explores how context affects attitudes and desires for affective touch, particularly during grief. While attitudes towards touch did not significantly differ between those experiencing grief and those not, there were notable variations in the desire for affective touch based on the type of touch and the toucher.
Together, these findings contribute to a more inclusive understanding of individual differences in touch related to faith. The results are discussed in relation to theories of affective communication, offering new insights and implications for future research.
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Item Type: |
Thesis (Doctoral) |
| Identification Number (DOI): |
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| Keywords: |
Affective Touch, Religion, Touch, Individual Differences, Islam, Grief, Topical Touch, Attitudes |
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| Date: |
30 June 2025 |
| Item ID: |
39164 |
| Date Deposited: |
11 Jul 2025 12:19 |
| Last Modified: |
11 Jul 2025 12:28 |
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URI: |
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