Study Reveals Why Some People Avoid Physical Touch From Romantic Partners

Researchers at Binghamton University found that certain personality traits make people uncomfortable with intimate touch from romantic partners, even when they love them. The study of 512 college students published in Current Psychology shows avoidant attachment style had the strongest link to touch aversion across both genders. People with “dark triad” traits including Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism were more likely to avoid partner touch or use it coercively for control rather than affection. Gender differences emerged in the research patterns. For women, attachment insecurity influenced touch behaviors primarily through antagonistic personality traits, while men showed more direct connections between attachment styles and touch outcomes. The findings suggest discomfort with physical affection reflects deeper psychological patterns rather than relationship problems. (Story URL)