Caresses, whispers and affective faces: A theoretical framework for a multimodal interoceptive mechanism underlying ASMR and affective touch: An evolutionary and developmental perspective for understanding ASMR and affective touch as complementary processes within affiliative interactions.

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) and affective touch (AT) are two phenomena that have been independently investigated from separate lines of research. In this article, I provide a unified theoretical framework for understanding and studying them as complementary processes. I highlight their shared biological basis and positive effects on emotional and psychophysiological regulation. Drawing from evolutionary and developmental theories, I propose that ASMR results from the development of biological mechanisms associated with early affiliative behaviour and self-regulation, similar to AT. I also propose a multimodal interoceptive mechanism underlying both phenomena, suggesting that different sensory systems could specifically respond to affective stimulation (caresses, whispers and affective faces), where the integration of those inputs occurs in the brain's interoceptive hubs, allowing physiological regulation. The implications of this proposal are discussed with a view to future research that jointly examines ASMR and AT, and their potential impact on improving emotional well-being and mental health.

Impacto de la cercanía, toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo de la pareja en los comportamientos saludables / Impact of closeness, affective touch and satisfaction with the couple´s support on healthy behaviors

RESUMEN Introducción: La pareja tiene efectos físicos y psicológicos sumamente positivos, especialmente cuando hay cercanía, debido al bienestar experimentado, toque afectivo, que enriquece la expresión de comprensión y satisfacción con el apoyo de la pareja, pues habrá mayor motivación para realizar comportamientos saludables. Objetivo: Identificar la magnitud, examinar las diferencias y conocer el grado de asociación de la cercanía, toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo recibido por parte de la pareja en el empleo de comportamientos saludables. Método: Se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística de 194 hombres y 194 mujeres mexicanos integrantes de una relación de pareja heterosexual (edad M = 37), con escolaridad mínima de secundaria. Se aplicó una batería compuesta por instrumentos de medición psicológica validados para población mexicana y se realizó una serie de análisis de varianza con pruebas a posteriori de Scheffé y correlaciones producto momento de Pearson. Resultados: De los resultados se destaca que los grupos de mayor toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo recibido emplean mayores comportamientos saludables de actividad y relajación. Por otra parte, para las mujeres, la cercanía se relaciona con mayores conductas de Actividad-relajación (0,168* según Pearson). Para los hombres, mayor satisfacción con el apoyo de su pareja propiciará que realicen mayores conductas de cuidado (0,157* según Pearson). Conclusión: Formar parte de una relación de pareja cercana, afectiva y donde el apoyo es satisfactorio crea un espacio para tener mejor calidad de vida y salud, por su influencia sobre actitudes, significados y conocimientos que determinan la adopción de conductas saludables.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The couple has extremely positive physical and psychological effects, especially when there is closeness, due to the experienced well-being, affective touch, which enriches the expression of compression and satisfaction with the support of the couple, since there will be greater motivation to perform healthy behaviors. Objective: Identify the magnitude, examine the differences and know the degree of association of closeness, affective touch and satisfaction with the support received from the couple in the use of healthy behaviors. Method: We worked with a non-probability sample of 194 Mexican men and 194 Mexican women who were members of a heterosexual couple relationship (age M = 37), with minimum middle school studies. A battery composed of validated psychological measurement instruments for the Mexican population was applied and a series of analysis of variance was performed with Scheffe´s posterior tests and Pearson´s product-moment correlations. Results: From the results, it is highlighted that the groups with the greatest affective touch and satis faction with the support received employ greater healthy behaviors of activity and relaxation. On the other hand, for women, closeness is related to greater Activity-relaxation behaviors (0,168* according to Pearson). For men, greater satisfaction with the support of their partner will lead to more caring behaviors (0,157* according to Pearson). Conclusion: Being part of a close, affective and supportive couple relationship creates a space to have better quality of life and health, due to its influence on attitudes, meanings and knowledge that determine the adoption of healthy behaviors.