Devout Christian couples report stronger marriages and more sex, new study finds

A new Institute for Family Studies report says regularly attending Catholic and Protestant couples report higher marital happiness, more stable marriages and more frequent sex than non-religious couples. The findings suggest faith communities still play a meaningful role in family life, especially when spouses share values and church attendance.

Why it matters: - The report argues that regular churchgoing remains linked to stronger marriages at a time of rising loneliness, unhappiness and deaths of despair. - The findings suggest faith, shared values and religious communities may still help couples build more stable family life. - The study also points to sex and marital satisfaction as areas where devout couples report advantages over secular peers.

What happened: - The Institute for Family Studies and Focus on the Family released a new report, The Devout Difference: Religion, Marital Quality, and Sex Among Americans. - The study compares religiously affiliated married couples with secular counterparts. - The report says the most devout Catholic and Protestant couples report the happiest family lives. - The release says Christian faith plays a smaller role in married family life than in past decades, but regularly attending Catholic and Protestant couples still show stronger, more stable families.

The details: - 60% of religious Americans ages 20 to 54 are married, compared with 42% of secular adults. - 79% of churchgoing Catholics and 74% of churchgoing Protestants say they are very happily married. - That compares with 66% of non-religious husbands and wives. - 78% of value-aligned Catholic and Protestant spouses report being in a happy marriage. - Only 36% of non-aligned spouses report the same. - The report says values alignment is the most important factor in a happy marriage. - 62% of churchgoing married adults have sex weekly. - 48% of non-religious married adults report weekly sex. - Married religious couples are also more likely to report higher sexual satisfaction. - 25% of churchgoing husbands view pornography monthly or more. - That compares with 35% of husbands who rarely or never attend church. - The report says pornography likely creates strain in Catholic and Protestant marriages. - The authors say religious couples are more likely to see marriage as permanent, report higher marital satisfaction, divorce less, have more sex and feel greater sexual satisfaction than non-religious couples. - The report includes recommendations for marriage-minded young adults, married couples and churches to strengthen married life in America.

Between the lines: - The findings challenge the common view that religious faith undermines marriage or sex lives. - Report co-author Brad Wilcox said the research found the opposite: people who regularly attend church report the highest marital happiness and sexual satisfaction. - Wilcox said religious communities strengthen marriage through norms, networks and values that reinforce commitment. - The report frames faith and family as buffers against social isolation and despair in a digital age.

What's next: - The report’s recommendations are aimed at young adults considering marriage, married couples and churches. - The study suggests churches may still have room to influence marital quality by reinforcing shared values and commitment. - The Institute for Family Studies says it will continue using evidence-based research and public education to support marriage and family life.

The bottom line: - Regular church attendance, especially among Catholic and Protestant couples, is associated with happier, more stable marriages and more satisfying sex lives.