biostudies-literatureUnknown26(2)von Mohr MFollowing positive social exchanges, the neural representation of interactive space around the body (peripersonal space; PPS) expands, whereas we also feel consciously more comfortable being closer to others (interpersonal distance; ID). However, it is unclear how relational traits, such as attachment styles, interact with the social malleability of our PPS and ID. A first, exploratory study (N=48) using a visuo-tactile, augmented reality task, found that PPS depended on the combined effects of social context and attachment anxiety. A follow-up preregistered study (N = 68), showed that those with high attachment anxiety demonstrated a sharper differentiation between peripersonal and extrapersonal space, even in a non-social context. A final, preregistered large-scale survey (N = 19,417) foiScience105955https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9883291biostudies-literatureMy social comfort zone: Attachment anxiety shapes peripersonal and interpersonal space.PMC9883291Serino ASilva PCvon Mohr MFotopoulou AVagnoni EBanissy MJBertoni TJenkinson PMBracher AfalseMy social comfort zone: Attachment anxiety shapes peripersonal and interpersonal space.Following positive social exchanges, the neural representation of interactive space around the body (peripersonal space; PPS) expands, whereas we also feel consciously more comfortable being closer to others (interpersonal distance; ID). However, it is unclear how relational traits, such as attachment styles, interact with the social malleability of our PPS and ID. A first, exploratory study (N=48) using a visuo-tactile, augmented reality task, found that PPS depended on the combined effects of social context and attachment anxiety. A follow-up preregistered study (N = 68), showed that those with high attachment anxiety demonstrated a sharper differentiation between peripersonal and extrapersonal space, even in a non-social context. A final, preregistered large-scale survey (N = 19,417) fo2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-05T09:06:01.087Z2025-04-05T09:06:01.087ZS-EPMC98832913671836810.1016/j.isci.2023.105955