# University of Bristol study links hug memories to touch attitudes in 15,049 adults

- Published: 2026-11-07 22:18 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Neurotechnology
- Tags: University of Bristol, hug memories, Anna Lena Dueren, touch perception, attachment style, emotional comfort
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-768cec08e421f9911ae45731_university_of_bristol/

**An analysis of 15,049 participants revealed factors shaping memorable hugs, highlighting interpersonal attitudes over daily touch frequency.**

![University of Bristol study links hug memories to touch attitudes in 15,049 adults](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/3041370dbe8e8d34.jpg)
*lomazoma.com*

Researchers led by Anna Lena Dueren from the University of Bristol evaluated survey responses from 15,049 adults in the United Kingdom, aged 18 to 92 years, according to lomazoma.com [1]. Around 70 percent of respondents remembered a hug that had an especially positive emotional effect on them [1]. Comfort was the most frequently cited reason for this impact, followed by support and the sensation of feeling understood [1].

## Physical proximity and attachment patterns

Individual perception of physical closeness showed a clear relationship with these memories [1]. Participants who regularly hugged friends and family as a greeting were more likely to recall a memorable positive embrace [1]. Conversely, individuals who found hugs uncomfortable or felt uncertain about grip strength reported such memories less frequently [1]. Overall daily hug frequency did not show a decisive influence on remembering these events [1].

Attachment styles also correlated with the recalled experiences [1]. People who tend to maintain emotional distance in relationships reported positive hug memories less often than individuals who experienced greater distress during separations [1].

## Empathy and body awareness

The data indicated that individuals with high levels of empathy described more positive memories associated with hugs [1]. In addition, tactile self-perception proved relevant: participants for whom physical touch was critical to their body awareness remembered positive hugs more readily [1]. General satisfaction with one's own body exhibited no measurable effect on the results [1].

The authors noted that past experiences and situational context likely influence how a hug is perceived, alongside personal traits [1]. However, the observed statistical correlations were predominantly weak [1]. The survey design also does not establish whether high empathy directly causes more positive hug memories to form [1].

## Sources

1. [lomazoma.com](https://lomazoma.com/warum-manche-umarmungen-besonders-unvergesslich-sind)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-768cec08e421f9911ae45731_university_of_bristol/