Why do some people not like hugging?

Hugging is just so incredibly nice, isn't it? Last week I wrote about the positive effects of hugging on your health. As you can understand, I prefer to hug as often as possible. But there are also people who don't like hugging at all. As friendly as I am, I find it hard to imagine this, yet it is true. But how is it that some people find hugging so unpleasant?

According to Suzanne Degges-White, a professor at Northern Illinois University, a dislike for hugging often arises from something someone experienced in their childhood. has experienced. A study published in Comprehensive Psychology confirms this. It showed that people who were raised by hugging parents also like to hug as adults. So those who were easily and often lovingly embraced as children do the same with others later on. The opposite is also true: if your parents were not affectionate, you are probably not very huggable as an adult. Since I grew up with a lot of warmth and hugs, I can only accept this theory.

But there are also exceptions, according to Degges-White: ‘There are children who grow up and crave more physical contact so much that they practically hug everyone they meet later in life.’ Due to the great lack of hugs, they want to make up for it later. Well, I find this really sad, all these people can hug me, you know.

Finally, not liking hugs can also be related to self-confidence. Degges-White: ‘Those who are not open to physical contact with others are often just insecure. People with social anxiety disorders generally do not like to hug, even with family or close friends. They usually feel very uncomfortable when they receive a hug and do not know how to handle themselves in such moments.’

Source: times