Unlike typically developing infants, infants in high-risk groups present a
special challenge to those studying touch behaviors. While tactile interaction
between mothers and their infants should benefit healthy infants and infants
of well mothers, the scientific literature is replete with additional concerns
when examining other, more diverse groups. Two “at-risk” groups that have
been studied in greater depth are premature infants and infants of depressed
mothers. In the former group, the concern seems to surround the added
physical contact, inasmuch as premature infants’ nervous systems are underdeveloped
so they may be hypersensitive to environmental stimulation and
there is the added concern that the greater environmental exposure leads to the
potential for exposing the fragile infant to environmental toxins. In the latter
group, psychologically ill mothers are perceived as lacking the appropriate
perspective or the “judgment” to provide appropriate levels of stimulation for
their infants. A number of other high-risk groups have been studied and these
results will also be noted.