People who received little physical affection and touch from trusted individuals in childhood tend to display certain behaviors in adulthood.
According to Saed News' Family Magazine, childhood experiences have a profound impact on adult life, particularly when it comes to physical affection. Those who were rarely hugged or caressed as children often exhibit specific traits and behaviors later in life.
Psychologists have provided interesting insights into these behaviors. While they are not always negative, they do set these individuals apart from those who received plenty of physical affection in childhood.
This article explores 9 common behaviors in people who lacked physical affection during childhood.
Growing up in an environment with little physical affection can have long-term effects on one’s ability to form deep relationships in adulthood.
Psychologists suggest that children who are not hugged enough often struggle to create deep emotional connections later in life. Physical touch plays a crucial role in early relationship experiences, providing feelings of security, love, and connection. Without these experiences, trusting others or feeling safe in relationships can become difficult.
This does not mean that those who lacked hugs in childhood cannot build close relationships—it just may require more effort and awareness. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward changing them and developing healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Some parents are affectionate but struggle to express their love through physical touch. If this was your experience, you might have developed an intense need for independence and self-reliance as an adult. It’s as if you’ve internalized the belief that “I shouldn’t depend too much on others.”
Psychologists suggest that this could stem from a lack of physical affection in childhood. While independence is a valuable trait, it can sometimes lead to isolation. Learning to ask for help and rely on others when necessary is an important skill to develop.
A lack of physical affection in childhood is often linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression in adulthood. This is supported by numerous psychological studies.
Research from UCLA has shown that children who receive less physical affection have higher levels of cortisol—the stress hormone—in their bodies. Elevated cortisol levels are associated with increased anxiety and depression.
People who did not receive much physical affection as children often struggle with physical touch in adulthood as well.
They may feel uncomfortable with hugging, holding hands, or even simple gestures of physical closeness. This discomfort can affect their romantic and social relationships, making it harder to express love and warmth physically.
On the other hand, some individuals who lacked physical affection in childhood may develop strong resilience and independence.
These individuals often learn to handle challenges on their own and become highly self-sufficient. Psychologists believe this resilience is a result of early exposure to hardship and the necessity of finding ways to cope independently.
However, this extreme independence can sometimes come at a cost, such as feelings of isolation or difficulty relying on others.
When physical affection is lacking, people may unconsciously develop other ways of connecting with others.
For example, many of these individuals become highly skilled at interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This heightened sensitivity can help them build deeper connections with others.
However, in some cases, this sensitivity can lead to overanalyzing situations or misinterpreting social cues, causing unnecessary worry or misunderstandings.
People who lacked physical affection in childhood may find it challenging to express their emotions in adulthood.
Psychologists note that hugging and physical touch not only provide comfort but also serve as important tools for expressing and experiencing emotions. Without these experiences in childhood, some individuals may struggle to articulate their feelings or avoid emotional expression altogether.
Those who received little physical affection as children often develop a strong need for personal space in adulthood.
These individuals may feel uncomfortable with excessive closeness or sudden physical touch. This behavior is a natural response to their childhood experiences, where they had little physical contact and unconsciously learned to maintain physical distance.
One of the most hopeful aspects of psychology is the belief that our past does not have to define our future.
Even if we lacked affection in childhood, we can gradually learn to incorporate more love and warmth into our lives. This change takes time, effort, and awareness, but by working on ourselves and fostering healthy relationships, we can reach a place where we experience and express love more freely.
Psychologists suggest that simple practices, such as focusing on the present moment, openly expressing emotions, and building affectionate relationships, can help us bring more love and connection into our lives.
