Beyond words: the association of hugging with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal. Evidence from the general adult population in Germany based on a cross-sectional survey
2
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
22962565
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105034522914
Journal Title
Frontiers in Public Health
Volume
14
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Frontiers in Public Health Vol.14 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Hajek A., Sutin A.R., Luchetti M., Stephan Y., Peltzer K., Pengpid S., Yon D.K., Gyasi R.M., Stickley A., Terracciano A., König H.H. Beyond words: the association of hugging with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal. Evidence from the general adult population in Germany based on a cross-sectional survey. Frontiers in Public Health Vol.14 (2026). doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1716316 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116074
Title
Beyond words: the association of hugging with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal. Evidence from the general adult population in Germany based on a cross-sectional survey
Author's Affiliation
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Mahidol University
China Medical University Hospital
University of the Free State
KyungHee University College of Medicine
Southern Cross University
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Florida State University College of Medicine
College of Medical and Health Science
African Population and Health Research Center
Centre Européen de Recherche sur le Mouvement Humain
Mahidol University
China Medical University Hospital
University of the Free State
KyungHee University College of Medicine
Southern Cross University
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Florida State University College of Medicine
College of Medical and Health Science
African Population and Health Research Center
Centre Européen de Recherche sur le Mouvement Humain
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Thus far, no studies have focused on hugging and social disconnectedness outcomes comprehensively (loneliness, social isolation, social withdrawal) in the post-pandemic era. Our aim was to examine whether hugging is associated with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal and whether these associations vary by gender. Methods: We used cross-sectional data collected via an online survey conducted in January 2025 (N = 3,270 adults aged 18 to 74 years across Germany). To ensure representativeness, a quota sampling method was employed based on gender, age, and federal state. Participants reported on their loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal and how many individuals they hugged each day. Linear regression models with robust standard errors were used. Results: After adjusting for multiple covariates, hugging on average one (or more) individuals per day (compared to lack of hugging) was associated with fewer feelings of loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal in the total sample. Among men, hugging was associated with reduced feelings of loneliness and social withdrawal but not social isolation; hugging was related to all three social disconnectedness metrics among women and the associations were stronger than for men, as indicated by corresponding interaction terms (hugging x gender). Conclusion: Our findings suggested an association between hugging frequency and measures of social disconnectedness, particularly among women. Efforts to increase the frequency of hugs, ideally to at least 2–3 individuals on average per day, may be beneficial for social outcomes, pending longitudinal and experimental evidence.