A study in China found that junior high school students who recall more maternal touch in childhood tend to manifest more prosocial behavior. Attachment to mothers might be a mediator of this relationship. The paper was published in the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. Maternal touch refers to physical contact initiated by a mother toward her child, such as holding, cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, or gentle stroking, especially during early development. Although it was long underemphasized in developmental research, recent studies show that maternal touch plays a crucial role not only in infants’ physical growth but also in cognitive, emotional, and social development. Frequent maternal touch has been linked to better psychomotor development, reduced stress responses, improved emotional regulation, and stronger mother–child bonding. Health organizations now formally recognize its importance, as reflected in recommendations for immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth, particularly for preterm and low-birthweight infants. Maternal touch is thought to support early attachment formation by providing comfort, safety, and a rewarding relationship experience. Secure attachment, in turn, is associated with greater empathy, emotional stability, …