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Social interactions and particularly affectionate touch are vital for mental and physical health. Research shows that affectionate touch is associated with release of oxytocin and has calming and stress reducing effects suggesting a regulatory effect of oxytocin on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Here, we aimed to systematically investigate the effects of repeated intranasal oxytocin administration on salivary cortisol. Furthermore, we focused on the moderating role of couples’ affectionate touch on biopsychological stress outcomes in everyday life.

80 heterosexual romantic couples (N=160 individuals) completed ecologically momentary assessments over five days. Six times per day participants answered smartphone-based questions regarding affectionate touch and momentary stress levels providing concomitant saliva samples for cortisol assessment. Half of the sample was …