ATHANASIOS KOUKOUTSAKIS
Papers
1
Total Citations
2
H-Index
1
About
Athanasios Koukoutsakis is a rising researcher in social and affective neuroscience, whose work centers on the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of interpersonal touch and its substitutes. His key research areas include social touch deprivation, vicarious touch, and the impact of physical isolation on mental health. Koukoutsakis’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that vicarious touch—observing or imagining touch—can serve as a potential buffer against the negative effects of touch deprivation, such as heightened anxiety and loneliness. His most-cited paper, "Vicarious touch: a potential substitute for social touch during touch deprivation" (2024), has already garnered attention for its timely relevance, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 social distancing measures. This work highlights how restricted interpersonal touch can impair psychological well-being and offers a novel intervention pathway. While his citation count is still growing, Koukoutsakis’s research is notable for bridging basic affective science with real-world applications, addressing a critical gap in understanding how humans cope with enforced physical separation. His findings are increasingly cited in discussions on pandemic-related mental health and the design of digital or virtual touch interventions, marking him as an emerging voice in the field.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1