Complex Role of Touch in Social Relationships for Older Adults’ Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The purpose of this study was to examine the links among relationship quality (RQ) and predictors of cardiovascular risks and consider the role of physical touch as a moderator. The sample includes 2,731 adults who participated in the National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP). Results indicate that positive RQ and negative RQ are associated with systolic blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure (PP) depending on the level of physical touch. Participants who reported highly positive RQ had lower systolic BP and PP with higher physical touch with others. Conversely, participants who reported highly negative RQ had higher systolic BP when reporting higher physical touch. The findings offer preliminary evidence for how physical touch in the context of social relationships may have nuanced implications for older adults’ cardiovascular outcomes.