Reach out and touch someone: Analysis of nonverbal comforting responses

Nonverbal comforting responses to an hypothetical scenario were collected and categorized by an analytic inductive technique in an effort to extend the boundaries of comforting research. This resulted in twelve identifiable categories of nonverbal responses to a situation calling for comforting communication. Participants also completed the Affective Orientation Measure (AO) to assess the relationship of use of emotions to comforting. Results indicated that males reported fewer comforting strategies and less diverse comforting responses than did females. Comforting strategy use was positively correlated with affective orientation.

Key concepts:

• Comforting responses
• Touch
• Nonverbal communication
• Affect