Opini
Physical & Emotional Intimacy in Healthy Relationships
Sexual health also includes healthy respectful relationships and intimate partnership.
What is intimacy?
Anna de Muinck Keizer university of Amsterdam
Intimacy is a multidimensional construct that consists of intellectual, personal, affective and physical aspects. Emotional and sexual aspects of intimacy are important predictors of satisfaction in a relationship. Intimacy can have a positive influence on the development of trust and bond in relationships and marriage.
Emotional intimacy is when partners feel the ability to behave, think or feel without fear of being judged. It is related to partner satisfaction, emotional well-being, communication, partner support, understanding and sexual well-being. Additionally, it can be a protective factor in romantic relationships and a key factor for mental health and well-being.
Sexual intimacy involves physical affection, trust and respectful communication between partners. Sexual desire has been positively associated to emotional and relationship quality. In addition, sexual satisfaction predicts higher relationship satisfaction.
Why is intimacy important?
Lack of intimacy is associated with relationship issues such as lost sense of security, jealousy between partners, prevention of processing of conflicts. When a relationship misses emotional intimacy, the relationship can feel lonely, disconnected from each other, not sharing important things, lack of support, which all can cause more conflicts and arguments. A lack of emotional intimacy can in turn cause lower sexual intimacy and lower relationship satisfaction.
The role of communication
Communication plays an important role in relationships; it can strengthen or hinder emotional and sexual intimacy between partners. Individuals who experienced positive communication in their relationship are more likely to feel sexually and emotionally intimate with their partners and therefore satisfied with their relationships.
Tips on how to ensure emotional and sexual intimacy in your relationship:
- Create an atmosphere for your partner where they will feel safe disclosing their vulnerabilities.
- Encourage communication about their want and needs, ask questions.
- Consider turning of electronic devices when spending time together, especially during mealtime.
- Make time for each other and engage in mutually enjoyable fun activities.
- Have a good balance between self-care and being together.
References
Aranda, V., Ayala, M., Esquivel, C., Ossandón, N., & Quinteros, C. (2024). Self-concealment and emotional intimacy in Chilean adults in a couple relationship. Iberoamerican Journal of Psychology and Public Policy, 1(2), 119–140. https://doi.org/10.56754/2810-6598.2024.0012
Beaulieu, N., Bergeron, S., Brassard, A., Byers, E. S., & Péloquin, K. (2022). Toward an integrative model of intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction: A Prospective Study in Long-Term Couples. The Journal of Sex Research, 60(8), 1100–1112. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2129557
Lancer, D. (2023, April 4). 8 ways to nurture emotional intimacy in your marriage. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/men-growing-intimacy-in-marriage-1270945
Wider, W., Chua, B. S., Mutang, J. A., Tan, C. C., Jiang, L., Tanucan, J. C. M., Thant, Y. M., & Udang, L. N. (2025). Associations between intimacy in relationships and marital satisfaction across gender and in different durations of relationship. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2545657
Yoo, H., Bartle-Haring, S., Day, R. D., & Gangamma, R. (2013). Couple communication, emotional and sexual intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40(4), 275–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2012.751072
Anna de Muinck Keizer university of Amsterdam
Adolescence is a critical stage where individuals begin to form their identity and explore their sexuality. Reproductive and sexual health development plays a critical role for adolescents in building social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
The reproductive health of adolescents has increased attention as a public health priority in many countries. Indonesian adolescents however often experience limited access to accurate reproductive health information, increasing their vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Some parents in Indonesia still believe that discussing these topics with their children is inappropriate. However, the parents are an important source of information for adolescents, as information obtained from the internet or peers is not always accurate or reliable.
Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness of the importance of being healthy and communicative about sexuality and other issues, regardless of if sexual activity is present. Open communication about sexual health between parents and children can play an important role in increasing knowledge, to reduce misconceptions and support healthy sexual development. It can additionally act as a protective factor against unhealthy sexual behaivour. Studies among adolescents in Indonesia show that if the adolescents experienced good parental communication, they tended to wait with sexual initiation and are more consistent in using protection methods.
Parents can engage in conversations with their child to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their sexual health and navigate sexual health-related issues. The conversations should be guided with openness, comfort and accurate information to increase their knowledge about puberty, promote health decision-making skills and build understanding of the importance of receiving appropriate sexual health care.
Sexual education goes further than reproduction and sexually transmitted infections. The focus should also lay on consent, violence prevention and healthy relationships. Sexual consent is essential for respectful, healthy, safe and legal sexual experiences. It is important to educate them about their own boundaries and how to respect the boundaries of other individuals.
How to start the conversation:
Every situations such as something they see on television, social media or hear at school can provide opportunities to start a conversation. The emphasis should be on listening without judgment and creating a safe environment where children feel comfortable asking questions. Providing this safe space and asking open-ended questions can encourage open communication.
Parents can begin by asking what their child already know by questions such as ‘What do your friends think?’ or ‘What did you learn at school?’. This allows parents to identify and correct any misconceptions while providing accurate, age-appropriate information. The conversation can be continued by asking open-ended questions to reflect on the information, for example ‘What do you think about that’ or ‘How would you handle that situation?’. If the child has questions, try to answer them openly but be honest if you don’t know the answer and you can look for reliable information together.
Open and ongoing communication, rather than having the single ‘sex-talk’, can be a more effective way of approaching this topic. It can consist of several short and natural discussions throughout childhood and adolescence. This provides trust and encourages adolescents to seek reliable information and support when needed. Parents do not need to have all the answers; being approachable, open and willing to listen is often more important than having the perfect response.
References
Azzizah, D. N., Imansari, B., Apriani, N., & Syabariyah, S. (2024). The correlation between parent communication and knowledge regarding sexual behavior in adolescents. Journal of Public Health Sciences, 3(02), 111–119. https://doi.org/10.56741/jphs.v3i02.605
Fitri, R. P., Syafriani, & Oktaviani, Y. (2025). The role of adolescent health services in promoting sexual health in Indonesia. Journal of Health and Nutrition Research, 4(1), 301–309. https://doi.org/10.56303/jhnresearch.v4i1.349
Harahap, Y. W., Nurlaila, Harahap, I., Antoni, A., Hasibuan, A. S., & Suryati. (2025). Analysis of parental communication and sexual risk behavior among adolescents based on gender. Science Midwifery, 13(5), 1292–1299.
Raising Children Network. (2025, February 25). Consent and sexual consent: Talking with children and teens. https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/connecting-communicating/tough-topics/sexual-consent-how-to-talk-with-children-teens
Rutgers WPF Indonesia, & Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada. (2020, July). Adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Indonesia: The unfinished business (Issue 1, Vol. 5).
Physical & Emotional Intimacy in Healthy Relationships
The Importance of Talking about Sexual Health with Children
