Women of all ages who receive hugs are more likely to be satisfied with their relationships, study shows

Trust, communication, respect, laughter… the list of factors considered key to a happy marriage is long, but it could all be down to a lot of hugging, scientists say.

Women who receive more hugs, cuddles and caresses are more likely to be satisfied with their relationship, according to research based on more than 1,000 women between 18 and 72 years old.

Researchers say hugging or simply holding hands works because physical contact increases women’s body satisfaction.

“Ours is the first study to demonstrate that the physical nature of affectionate touch is a form of communication about one’s own body,” the scientists say in the Journal of Sex Research.

“Recipients see it as a positive message about their body, in part because the affection was placed there.”

Previous research has suggested that around 40 percent of women are dissatisfied with their bodies.

In the latest study, researchers asked 1,156 women (75 percent of whom were married) about how often they experienced affectionate touching, such as hugging, holding hands, cuddling, massaging, caressing, and caressing.

They were also asked how satisfied they were with their relationship and their bodies.

The survey found that women who reported more affectionate touching from their partner had greater satisfaction with their relationship and higher levels of sexual and body satisfaction.

Relationship satisfaction was rated from one to five, with the highest score (one or more touches per day) being linked to the highest levels of satisfaction.

The average score was 3.61, which suggests a couple of times a week.

“The significant link between body satisfaction and relationship outcomes highlights how a romantic partner’s messages (both verbal and nonverbal) can affect body image,” said researchers from Indiana University and other centers.

“Affirmative messages of body satisfaction, communicated through affectionate touch, can enliven the relationship by providing frequent, positive nonverbal feedback that makes the recipient feel as if they are a valued partner in the relationship.”

The researchers added: “Our results offer possible avenues to reinforce an individual’s sense of comfort with their body by encouraging gentle, voluntary (rather than requested) affirmative contact, such as holding hands or hugging, on a regular basis.”