Touch in promoting well-being and care relationship

The thesis aims to review literature on the use of interpersonal touch in psychological care. In a biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective of health and care, touch is assessed at different levels of analysis. First, a theoretical and ethical context is given - touch has influenced considerably the course of development of psychology as we know it today, parting from theoretical and ethical considerations, the both shed light on important aspects of the use of touch. When it comes to the physiological and psychological implications, a considerable space is given to modern research including robots to expand on the vast research already present. Last but not least, spiritual implications are discussed building on new phenomenological-psychological research and religious notions.