Male child and youth care (CYC) practitioners have rarely been queried about how, or if, they use therapeutic touch (TT) with clients. A significant amount of literature suggests that TT with children and youth can have a positive impact on development, social, emotional and physical wellbeing, and a reduction of aggressive behaviour. However, for male practitioners, using caring touch with clients grows ever more precarious given the increased perception that they are vulnerable to allegations of misconduct and concern that touching clients could be triggering. This narrative inquiry examines how male CYC practitioners make sense of, and engage in, the use of therapeutic touch. Through interviews of five men from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, stories were collected about experiences, values, and personal histories to discover how they were informed about and navigate therapeutic touch with clients. Four themes were identified including, the story of patriarchy, fear, vulnerability and connection. How participants approach their use of therapeutic touch was found to depend on early life experiences, important life events, anecdotal evidence that reinforced fears about using touch, and the current social and political culture such as the #metoo movement. This study also finds that more research, dialogue and training is needed in order for male CYC practitioners to feel safe and competent to use therapeutic touch in a way that is beneficial for clients. / Graduate

Background: Touch plays an important role throughout the life of humans. It can be used to comfort, to support and to soothe. It can reinforce what is being said and done. During illness a patient can experience a lack of touch, which can be detrimental to a person's health. Caring touch can then play a significant role. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe adult patients' experiences of caring touch in somatic hospital care. Method: A method to contribute to evidence-based nursing with ground in analysis of qualitative research was performed to get a better understanding of patients' experiences of caring touch. An analysis of eight qualitative articles was carried out. The analysis resulted in five main themes and sixteen subthemes. Results: The main themes were; I am important, my experience of the performance, my feelings, help with my pain and the body starts to function again. The patients' experiences of caring touch show that it is often popular and has positive effects for the patient. Conclusion: Caring touch can give the patient a feeling of being important, that she or he has a value as a human being. If performed with sensitivity and respect the outcome can be beneficial to the patient. The patient's emotions may be positively influenced and a sense of well-being may arise. Personal concerns can be put aside for a moment.