Physical contact in interactions between clinicians and young children.

51 child-clinicians reported judged intervention outcomes and frequency of occurrence of 4 types of physical contact (touching, holding hands, sitting on lap, and hugging) for 368 children (mean age 7.71 yrs). Although contact frequencies varied markedly from 89% for touching to 22% for sitting on lap, they were moderately intercorrelated. Girls had more physical contact than boys, especially for hugging. Younger, compared to older, children had significantly more physical contact and more positive outcomes. Female, compared to male, clinicians had more physical contact with children. Doctoral-level clinicians reported fewer physical contacts with children than nondoctoral clinicians. Clinicians in private practice reported fewer physical contacts and more positive outcomes than those in the public sector. Psychiatrists touched children less often than social workers or psychologists. There were no relationships between the frequencies of any physical-contact variable and judged intervention outcome. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)