ABSTRACT
Evidence for the importance of affection is overwhelming in child development, parenting, couple relationships, adult well-being, and elder health. Research on the development of children concludes that affection, or its lack, has an impact particularly on self-esteem and the ability to demonstrate caring and affection (Castiglia, 1999). Research on neonatal handling suggests that physical affection with young children helps them develop into well-adjusted adults (Sapolsky, 1997). Affection is especially important for the healthy development of children (Barber & Thomas, 1986; Compton & Niemeyer, 1994; Mackinnon, Henderson, & Andrews, 1993; Oatley & Jenkins, 1996; Oliver, Raftery, Reeb, & Delaney, 1993; Prescott, cited in Wallace, 1981; Twardosz & Nordquist, 1983; Vega et al., 1996; and Villard, 1976), and the importance of affection for children is further emphasized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s accreditation standards, which include consideration of caregivers’ warmth (Mill & Romano-White, 1999, p. 157). Affection even has been called the “key to socialization” (Oatley & Jenkins, 1996, p. 290).
