University of Bristol study examines factors behind memorable hugs

A large-scale study involving 15,049 adults in the United Kingdom has identified the psychological factors that make physical embraces memorable. Published in the journal PLOS One, the research, coordinated by Dr. Anna Lena Dueren of the University of Bristol, found that approximately 70 percent of participants remembered hugs due to the positive emotional impact they provided.

Comfort was cited as the most common reason for remembering an embrace, followed by feelings of support, understanding, and happiness. The study also noted differences in how genders perceive these interactions: men were more likely than women to associate a memorable hug with arousal, whereas women were more likely to connect them to emotional support and comfort. However, researchers noted that arousal was a relatively uncommon experience overall.

Individual personality traits also played a significant role. Participants who regularly hug friends and family or who possess higher levels of empathy and bodily awareness were more likely to retain positive memories of physical contact. Conversely, those who avoid physical touch or feel uncomfortable with it tended to have more difficulty recalling hugs fondly.