Institute for Family Studies links religious practice to marital happiness

A study by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) titled ‘The Devout Difference: Religion, Marital Quality, and Sex Among Americans’ has identified a statistical association between regular religious practice and higher levels of marital satisfaction in the United States.

According to the research, 79% of practicing Catholics and 74% of practicing Protestants reported being very or extremely happy in their marriages, compared to 66% of those without a religious affiliation. The report notes that regular attendance at religious services is a significant factor; those who identify as religious but do not attend services regularly do not show the same correlation with marital happiness.

The study also highlights a ‘faith-family paradox.’ While religious attendance and marriage rates have declined significantly since the 1970s, those who remain active in their faith are more likely to be married and report more stable families. Specifically, regular churchgoers are 39% more likely to be married than non-religious individuals after accounting for demographics such as age, education, and ethnicity.