Churchgoing husbands and wives are happier

What’s the secret to happily ever after? A recent report from the Institute for Family Studies draws on new survey data showing that faith, particularly religious practice, may promote strong marriages. Among married adults ages 20 to 54, the study found that 78% of churchgoing husbands and 74% of churchgoing wives described themselves as “very” or “extremely” happy in their marriage, compared with 66% of husbands and 63% of wives who attend church infrequently or never. The study also found that spouses’ agreement on core marriage and faith values is one of the strongest predictors of marital happiness. While religious attendance has declined in recent decades, faith remains solid ground on which to build a happy marriage.

by Grant Bailey