Why might being touched by a stranger feel uncomfortable for a patient?

Being touched by a stranger can evoke a range of emotions and physiological responses, primarily tied to feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. This discomfort often arises from the unknown context of the interaction; when someone is touched unexpectedly, it can trigger a fight-or-flight response, leading to heightened anxiety levels.

Strangers do not have established trust, and this lack of familiarity can contribute to feelings of insecurity and apprehension. For many individuals, personal boundaries are critically important, and any breach of these boundaries, such as an unexpected touch, can lead to discomfort or stress. It’s essential in healthcare and interpersonal interactions to be aware of how touch may impact patients, as individuals may have different thresholds for comfort.

In this context, touch is often perceived as an invasion of personal space, leading to the hypothesis that it could provoke anxiety or negative feelings rather than fostering a sense of connection or joy. In contrast, the other options either misconstrue the nature of personal boundaries or suggest outcomes that are generally not observed when a patient is touched unexpectedly by a stranger.