Sexual Intimacy and Wellbeing between Married Couples in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Health, a vital aspect of global development, is often referred to as wealth, because wellbeing encompasses the physical, social and psychological aspects of human personality. Four research questions guided this study, with specific objectives to: investigate how sexual intimacy affects social relationships in matrimonial homes, find out how sexual intimacy influences resolution of problems in matrimonial homes, find out the relationship between sexual intimacy and the psychological health of couples, and discover how lack of sexual intimacy affects matrimonial homes in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Relevant literatures were reviewed, while the social cognitive theory and health belief model served as frameworks for reference. The study employed a qualitative approach, in order to have a close discussion with couples. Thirty nine (39) in-depth interviews (3 per Local Government Area) and sixty five (65) key informant interviews (5 per Local Government Area), made up a total sample size of 104 people. Data were transcribed, and findings revealed that sexual intimacy in marriage creates a strong bond between couples, which enhances healthy interpersonal, social, physical and psychological relationships, and promotes the wellbeing of couples, while lack of sexual relationship and satisfaction in marriage, creates physical, psychological and social problems among married couples, leading to divorce, separation, fights, quarrels, denial and negligence of responsibilities, which negatively affects the health of the couples. Recommendations include: commitment among couples, intimate communication, understanding each other’s sexual needs, and making it a point of religious duty to meet such needs, through religious teachings and public seminars on marriage, in order to enhance the sexual wellbeing of married couples and society.