Dating with intention, which involves mindful partner selection without necessarily aiming for marriage, may lead to greater satisfaction and reduced loneliness, according to a recent article.
Using time-saving services like takeout, housecleaners, or dog walkers can boost relationship happiness by freeing up time for couples to connect, especially during stressful periods, though effective communication remains essential.
Research shows that scorekeeping in relationships, where partners track and compare their contributions, can significantly decrease satisfaction and cause long-term damage, especially if it persists over time. Most couples tend to abandon this behavior as they mature, recognizing that love thrives on generosity rather than fairness, but those who cling to scorekeeping may experience increased unhappiness and resentment.
A comprehensive review of nearly 340 studies suggests that actual similarity between long-term romantic partners has only a modest and inconsistent impact on relationship satisfaction and stability, whereas perceived similarity appears to be more influential, highlighting the importance of perceptions over measurable traits.
A study across four countries found that relationship satisfaction declines gradually over years, then sharply 1-2 years before a breakup, indicating relationships often begin to unravel long before they end, with a more pronounced decline closer to the breakup date.
A study challenges the idea that orgasm is the key to women's sexual satisfaction, showing that factors like intimacy, frequency of sex, and personal importance of sex play significant roles, and that orgasm doesn't need to happen every time for a satisfying experience.
Recent studies suggest that having sex once a week is associated with higher relationship satisfaction and mental health benefits, with some evidence indicating that 1-2 times weekly may help reduce depression symptoms. The research emphasizes that sexual satisfaction varies individually and that orgasm frequency is less important than overall intimacy and connection.
A study suggests that having sex at least once a week is linked to higher happiness in relationships, with women who engage more frequently reporting greater satisfaction, especially those who prioritize sex and are under 45. Less frequent intimacy correlates with lower satisfaction, highlighting the importance of regular sexual activity for relationship happiness.
A study presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting suggests that using CPAP machines can improve relationship satisfaction and reduce conflict among couples, potentially reversing the trend of "sleep divorce" caused by sleep apnea and snoring.
A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed that people are more likely to communicate during sex with partners they trust and feel comfortable with, primarily using non-verbal methods to avoid disrupting the intimacy of the moment. The research, which involved in-depth interviews with 78 participants, found that effective communication during sexual activities is significantly influenced by the level of trust and comfort with a partner. The study also highlighted the impact of gender dynamics on sexual communication, with women often refraining from honest verbal communication about their sexual dissatisfaction to avoid hurting their male partners’ feelings. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of open and clear communication during sex for enhancing sexual satisfaction and relationship fulfillment.
A recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that poor sleep quality can negatively impact the quality of romantic relationships. The research found that individuals who reported experiencing poor sleep had lower perceived relationship quality and increased feelings of anger. Fluctuations in anger were found to mediate the association between changes in sleep quality and changes in relationship quality. The study highlights the importance of sleep in maintaining positive emotional dynamics within romantic partnerships. However, further research is needed to explore the causal relationship between sleep and relationship satisfaction.
A new study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy explores the relationship between childhood sexual abuse, trauma symptoms, and relationship satisfaction. The research highlights the impact of traumatized sexuality, which refers to the manifestation of trauma symptoms during sexual activities, on survivors' overall relationship satisfaction. The study found that survivors of childhood sexual abuse reported lower relationship satisfaction and higher levels of both PTSD symptoms and traumatized sexuality. Traumatized sexuality played a moderating role in the link between childhood sexual abuse and relationship satisfaction, suggesting that it influences how strongly childhood sexual abuse affects relationship satisfaction. The findings underscore the importance of addressing sexual-related posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as traumatized sexuality, when working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the context of their romantic relationships.
A recent study challenges common assumptions about infidelity, revealing that cheaters generally do not feel remorse or believe that their affairs negatively impact their marriages. The study surveyed nearly 2,000 users of the extramarital affairs website Ashley Madison and found that unfaithful partners reported high satisfaction with their affairs, both sexually and emotionally, while experiencing low levels of regret. The motivations for cheating varied, with factors such as low sexual satisfaction, desire for independence, and sexual variety playing a role. The findings suggest that infidelity may not be as damaging to relationships as commonly believed, although the study's limited sample size calls for further research in diverse populations.
A study published in the Journal of Personality suggests that individuals with Dark Triad traits (psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism) tend to be more satisfied in romantic relationships when their partner also possesses similar dark traits. The research, conducted on 205 heterosexual couples, found that dissimilarity in psychopathy and narcissism had negative effects on relationship satisfaction, while higher levels of Machiavellianism consistently led to lower satisfaction in both partners. The study also revealed that women's self-reported and partner-reported Dark Triad traits had a greater impact on both their own and their partners' relationship satisfaction, which was surprising given that these traits are typically considered more detrimental in men. However, the study's cross-sectional design limits causal interpretations, and future research should employ longitudinal designs to better understand the effects of Dark Triad traits on relationship satisfaction over time.
Feeling valued by one's partner is an essential factor in marital satisfaction, according to a new study published in the Journal of Sex Research. The study found that both sexual frequency and communication quantity can help improve the feeling of perceived mattering, or the belief that one is important to their partner, which is a critical factor in understanding the interaction between sex and communication. The study suggests that interventions to increase perceived mattering may effectively improve overall marital satisfaction.