Sex differences in observers' reactions to a nurse's use of touch

We tested the notion that male and female observers would have different reactions to the use of touch by a nurse towards a patient in a hospital situation. If males are socialized to favor autonomy and independence and females to favor nurturance and caring, it was assumed that male subjects would rate a nurse as less supportive and competent if a nurse touched a patient. The results (based on reactions to photographs manipulating the level of physical contact that occurred between a nurse and a patient) were generally consistent with these predictions. While the subjects' sex moderated reactions to the nurse-initiated touch, there was an overall pattern for observers to react more favorably to the nurse who used touch compared to no touch in interacting with a patient. The results suggest that nurses and health professionals who use touch in interacting with patients may be judged in part by the attitudes of males and females about the use of touch.