Sexual frequency is often considered an important factor that affects marriage satisfaction and emotional closeness between partners.
There is still debate among researchers regarding how this relationship works and what factors contribute to it. One study found that couples who had intercourse more frequently reported higher levels of marital satisfaction than those who engaged in less frequent sexual activity. Another study suggested that increased sexual frequency was linked to improved communication, emotional connectedness, and better problem-solving skills. These findings suggest that increasing the frequency of sex may have positive effects on a couple's relationship overall.
Researchers have also investigated whether there are specific types of sexual behaviors that contribute to greater happiness and closeness within a marriage.
One study found that engaging in non-penetrative sex, such as kissing, cuddling, and oral sex, was associated with increased intimacy and emotional connection between partners.
Another study showed that engaging in roleplay and other novel sexual activities can help create new shared experiences, which can enhance feelings of emotional closeness.
Not all studies agree on the correlation between sexual frequency and marital happiness. Some research has shown that couples who have infrequent sexual encounters report being just as satisfied with their relationships as those who have regular sex. In fact, some research suggests that high levels of sexual frequency may even lead to negative outcomes for certain couples, such as decreased commitment and conflict.
While there is evidence supporting the link between sexual frequency and marital happiness, further research is needed to determine the optimal amount of sex that contributes to the best outcomes for individual couples. It may be beneficial for couples to experiment with different sexual behaviors and explore what works best for them without putting too much pressure on having a certain level of sexual activity.
In what ways does sexual frequency correlate with marital happiness and perceived emotional closeness?
Research has consistently shown that higher levels of sexual frequency are associated with increased marital satisfaction (e. g. , Huston et al. , 2015; Kasschau & Wallen, 2016). Couples who engage in more frequent sex tend to report greater levels of marital happiness compared to those who have less frequent sexual encounters.