Importance Of Physical Contact Research Articles

Transforming Experiences in Literature and Psychotherapy

The article presents an analysis of Leo Tolstoy’s novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich, with a view to transforming experiences in literature and psychotherapy. It focuses on three central points: the question of personal authenticity, the autobiographic narration of self as source of our identity, and the importance of physical contact as a bridge between individuals. A short clinical note highlights some critical issues that could be important for the reader, personally as well as professionally.

Temperature variation in newborn babies: importance of physical contact with the mother

Background: Hypothermia is a major cause of deterioration and death in the neonatal period. Temperature deviations are key signs of illness. Objective: To determine normal patterns of temperature variation in...

Relações afetivas entre mães e recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo: variáveis sociais e perinatais

Sabe-se que a mãe assume um importante papel no desenvolvimento afetivo do bebê e conseqüentemente nas suas relações futuras. O trabalho objetivou analisar as primeiras relações afetivas entre mães de recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo na Maternidade do Hospital Universitário/UFAL, verificar as diferenças na relação afetiva entre esses dois grupos de mães e a importância do contato físico para a formação dessa primeira relação. Os instrumentos de pesquisa foram: entrevista e observação, tendo contado com a participação de 28 puérperas e seus recém-nascidos. O material obtido foi submetido à análise de conteúdo, tendo como referencial teórico a psicanálise. Os resultados mostraram que todas as mães estabeleceram ligações afetivas com seus bebês, mesmo nas situações em que o recém-nascido não foi planejado; a relação das mães pré-termo mostrou-se mais difícil, evidenciando que o contato físico é importante para a formação do vínculo afetivo mãe-bebê.

Experimental infection and horizontal transmission of Piscirickettsia salmonis in freshwater‐raised Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Experimental infections with Piscirickettsia salmonis via intraperitoneal (IP), oral (PO) and gill (GS) routes were compared, and the importance of physical contact in the horizontal transmission of this organism was investigated. Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., under‐yearling parr raised in fresh water were used in this study. Samples of liver, kidney, spleen, gill and brain were collected weekly for 5 weeks after challenge, and were examined using the indirect fluorescent‐antibody technique (IFAT). The pathogen was transmitted horizontally to fish with and without physical contact. However, transmission of P. salmonis occurred significantly more rapidly among fish with physical contact. Mortalities occurred in 50% of fish experimentally challenged with P. salmonis and their cohabitants. The estimates of the relative risk of dying demonstrated that fish challenged by the IP and GS routes had a significantly higher probability of dying than fish challenged by the PO route (P < 0.005). Contact cohabitants with infected fish had a higher probability of death than non‐contact cohabitants (P < 0.005). The sequential studying using IFAT indicated that a haematogenous pattern of infection occurred among fish infected by oral and gill routes, or by cohabitation. This was different from the capsular (serosal) infection pattern observed in intraperitoneally inoculated fish. Piscirickettsia salmonis was observed within the cytoplasm of leucocytes and renal tubules, the latter indicating that elimination of this pathogen through the urine may be possible. Aeromonas salmonicida was also detected (by IFAT) in some of the fish exposed to P. salmonis, suggesting that P. salmonis may cause immunosuppression, and thus, increase the susceptibility of the host to other pathogens.

Cultural Differences in Physical Contact Between Hispanic and Anglo Mother–Infant Dyads Living in the United States

This is a study of differences in physical contact and tactile interpersonal behaviours between Hispanic and Anglo mothers and infants living in the United States. Infants were 9 months old and 52 mother–infant dyads, 26 Hispanic and 26 Anglo, were videotaped during free play without toys in a university laboratory playroom. Coders judged the interpersonal distance, physical contact and affectionate touch from the videotapes and mothers responded to a questionnaire about the importance of physical contact and affectionate touch in their relationship with their infant. From questionnaire data we found that Hispanic and Anglo mothers both touch their infants on a daily basis, although Hispanic mothers report touching more frequently, being more affectionate with their infants and having more skin-to-skin contact. From videotaped observations we found that there were no overall differences in mother–infant touch between the two cultures; however, the Hispanic mothers showed more close touch and more close and affectionate touch compared to Anglo mothers, who showed more distal touch. The results are discussed in terms of the role of touch in infant development and cultural differences in the evaluation of close physical contact and touch.

The importance of physical contact with other pigs during rearing on the sexual behaviour of the male domestic pig

ABSTRACTFive groups of four boars were reared from an early age under various social conditions. The sexual and social behaviour of these boars was studied from 32 to 52 weeks of age. Boars reared in a group from 3 weeks of age achieved a significantly greater (0·10 > P > 0·05 and P < 0·05) number of copulations and displayed significantly more (P < 0·05 and P < 0·05) courting behaviour than boars reared from 3 weeks of age in the absence of either physical contact or of both physical and visual contact with other pigs, respectively. On average, lack of physical contact with other pigs accounted for approximately 70% of the impairment in the copulatory performance of boars reared in the absence of visual and physical contact with other pigs. There were no significant differences between the copulatory performance of the boars reared in a group from 3 weeks and either those reared from 12 weeks of age in the absence of visual and physical contact with other pigs or those that were housed as a group during rearing and the testing period.

The importance of physical contact with other pigs during rearing on the sexual behaviour of the adult bear

The importance of physical contact with other pigs during rearing on the sexual behaviour of the adult bear

Visual vs physical social deprivation and affiliation in rats

Rats were housed in pairs and allowed full contact, in pairs separated by a wire mesh screen, or alone for 1 week before being tested for social attraction. Completely deprived animals were significantly more gregarious than animals given complete social contact over the 18-day test period. Animals allowed only visual contact were initially indistinguishable from rats housed alone, indicating the importance of physical contact. Differences gradually emerged, suggesting an additional effect of lack of visual contact, especially as deprivation became longer.