Church Attendance Linked to More Satisfying Marriages and Sex Lives

Married couples who actively participate in religious services tend to report higher sexual frequency and satisfaction compared to those who attend less frequently or not at all. This finding comes from a report by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Research Findings

The report analyzed multiple datasets, including the 2026 IFS Religion and Family Survey, which involved 3,125 married adults aged 18–54. Other data sources included the General Social Survey and a survey of 1,219 FOCUS alumni, a Catholic campus ministry. Regular churchgoers, especially Catholics, reported higher levels of sexual frequency compared to less religious or non-religious married adults. These associations persist even when demographic differences are considered.

Among married adults aged 20 to 54, 62% of regular church attendees reported having sex weekly, compared to 48% of nonreligious spouses. Furthermore, those who regularly attended services also reported greater sexual satisfaction.

Satisfaction and Religious Practices

Regular attendees, including Catholics and Protestants, were more likely to describe their sex lives positively. Daily prayer was linked with higher sexual satisfaction for Catholics and Protestants, though not with frequency. Among churchgoers, 55% of Catholics and 45% of Protestants rated their sex lives as “excellent” or “very good.” In comparison, 45% of nominal Catholics, 35% of nominal Protestants, and 40% of religiously unaffiliated individuals reported the same level of satisfaction.

Importance of Commitment and Shared Values

The belief in marriage as a permanent commitment often correlates with fulfilling and frequent sexual experiences. This belief and shared values contribute significantly to overall marital quality.

Study Limitations

The study notes limitations due to its observational nature. It cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between religious practice and marital or sexual outcomes. The outcomes are also self-reported, raising the possibility of other unmeasured factors affecting the results. Differences in age and marriage duration can challenge direct comparisons with the broader population. The study received funding from FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

Expert Insights

Jessica Steinman, a licensed marriage and family therapist, discussed the potential relationship between religious activity and enhanced marital quality. Contrary to some assumptions, religious individuals are not necessarily less active in their sex lives. Steinman noted religious activities might enhance partner connection through shared practices, fostering emotional openness, and shared values within marriages.

She emphasized that couples engaging in rituals can strengthen their bonds, potentially leading to happier marriages. Steinman encourages couples to prioritize real-life connections over digital distractions to enhance emotional and sexual intimacy.

Melissa Rudy, a senior health editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to this article. For story tips, contact [email protected].