Public Display of Affection: Is It Good for a Relationship?

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A public display of affection (PDA) is any act ofintimacybetween a couple that is in view of others. Hugging, kissing, or holding your partner’s hand in public are some examples of PDA. Sharing a private intimate moment in a public forum such as social media can also be a form of PDA.

PDA can be a controversial subject. While some people support it and think it’s romantic, others disapprove of it and find it inappropriate and unnecessary.

In this article, we discuss the benefits and negative effects of PDA on relationships, misconceptions and cultural boundaries around PDA, as well as the psychology of couples who show PDA. We also asked a psychologist who specializes in relationships for some tips on how to talk to your partner about PDA.

Examples of PDA

These are some examples of PDA:

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What Is the Psychology of Couples Who Show PDA?

There is no single profile of couples who engage in PDA; rather there are several explanations for why couples may choose to show their affection publicly, saysSabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in relationships.

These are some of the profiles of couples who may engage in PDA, according to Dr. Romanoff:

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Benefits of PDA in a Relationship

PDA can have many benefits in a relationship, according to Dr. Romanoff:

Research shows that being in an affectionate relationship is associated with greater happiness and relationship satisfaction; whereas, being with a partner who is ambivalent or antagonistic is linked to stress, anxiety, and depression.

How PDA Might Negatively Impact Your Relationship

These are some ways that PDA could negatively impact your relationship, according to Dr. Romanoff.

Highlights Differences in Values

Some partners do not have compatible preferences when it comes to PDA. For example, while some people are comfortable being openly affectionate with their partners, many people are more private with their relationships and prefer to not be affectionate in front of others, due to their upbringing, family culture, or social norms.

Creates Reputational Hazards

Many people fear the consequences of damaging their reputation both socially or professionally, especially when PDA could be easily photographed and shared.

This can affect the relationship because some people conflate their partner’s fears with the erroneous belief that their partnerdoesn’t want themor is not proud of their relationship.

What Level of PDA Is Acceptable?

The level of PDA that is considered acceptable can vary depending on various factors, such as:

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Misconceptions of Exercising PDA in Relationships

These are some of the misconceptions that surround PDA in relationships:

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How to Talk to Your Partner About PDA

If you and your partner are not on the same page about PDA, you may wonder how to talk to them about it. Dr. Romanoff shares some strategies that can come in handy while you have this conversation:

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7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kreuder AK, Scheele D, Wassermann L, et al.How the brain codes intimacy: The neurobiological substrates of romantic touch.Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38(9):4525-4534. doi:10.1002/hbm.23679

Mehulić J, Kamenov Ž.Mental health in affectionate, antagonistic, and ambivalent relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: a latent profile analysis.Front Psychol. 2021;12:631615. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.631615

Wu MS, Li B, Zhu L, Zhou C.Culture change and affectionate communication in China and the United States: evidence from Google Digitized Books 1960-2008.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1110. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01110

Stammwitz M, Wessler J.A public context with higher minority stress for LGBTQ* couples decreases the enjoyment of public displays of affection.PLoS One. 2021;16(11):e0259102. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259102

Lemke R.Linking public opinion perception, minority, and stigma: an integrated model of hiding male same-sex affection in public.J Homosex. 2022;1-29. doi:10.1080/00918369.2022.2059970

Blair KL, McKenna O, Holmberg D.On guard: Public versus private affection-sharing experiences in same-sex, gender-diverse, and mixed-sex relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2022;39(9):2914-2938. doi:10.1177/02654075221090678

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