Most people have heard of the famous study that found that religiosity increases the likelihood of marriage and decreases divorce rates.
There is little evidence that suggests that religion actually affects sexual behavior within marriage. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether religious beliefs influence sexual attitudes and behaviors, but the findings are mixed and inconclusive. Some researchers believe that religiosity has no significant effect on sexual desire, while others suggest that it may influence both men's and women's sexual motivations and satisfaction. Religious beliefs are thought to be an important factor in shaping marital intimacy, which is defined as "the act of sharing emotional closeness and mutual caring between spouses" (Coleman & Shaver, 1987). This article will explore how religious convictions shape sexual desire, relational satisfaction, and marital intimacy.
Religiosity and Sexual Desire
Several studies have shown that religiosity can affect sexual desires, though the effects vary among different types of religiosity and contexts.
Some research indicates that fundamentalist Protestants tend to report lower levels of sexual desire than non-fundamentalists (Baumeister et al., 2003), while other studies suggest that religiosity does not predict self-reported frequency of sexual intercourse or sexual interest (Penhollow & Young, 2014). Similarly, some studies indicate that religiosity is associated with lower levels of sexual arousal, less sexual activity, and fewer orgasms (Kremer, Meston, & Brody, 2010).
There is also evidence that religiosity may increase sexual behavior in certain circumstances. In one study, religious individuals reported more frequent sex when their partner was absent for a period of time due to military deployment (Baumeister et al., 2003).
Religious couples who engaged in sex during times of conflict were found to experience greater marital satisfaction than those who abstained from sex (Hatfield et al., 2015).
Religious beliefs are thought to influence both men's and women's sexual motivations. One study found that religious males were significantly less likely to find attractive women desirable than secular males (Buss et al., 1998). Another study showed that religious women are less interested in casual sex than nonreligious women (Baumeister et al., 2003). Some researchers believe that these effects can be explained by the fact that religious people have higher moral standards, which may lead them to value sex within marriage more than outside it (Fletcher et al., 2016).
Religious people tend to emphasize chastity, modesty, and fidelity, all of which could contribute to lower levels of extramarital desire. Religiosity has been shown to predict greater marital commitment and less infidelity among married individuals (Wiederman, 1997), suggesting that religiosity may play a role in shaping attitudes towards monogamy and faithfulness.
Religion and Relational Satisfaction
Religious convictions also appear to impact relational satisfaction, with mixed results. Research suggests that religious couples report higher levels of satisfaction than their non-religious counterparts (Glock & Stark, 1965; Hatfield et al., 2015).
Some studies indicate that religious affiliation does not necessarily result in increased happiness or well-being (Sbarra, 2004).
One study found that religious couples who attended religious services together reported lower levels of marital satisfaction than those who did not attend services together (Hatfield et al., 2015). This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting that shared beliefs are not always related to marital quality (Campbell, 1988). Nevertheless, other research indicates that religiosity can positively influence marital quality, particularly for those who prioritize religion over other aspects of life (Brown & Lin, 2003).
It has been suggested that religiosity may act as a buffer against marital distress, such as when spouses face financial difficulties or health problems (Kim & Fincham, 2010).
In addition to the effect on relational satisfaction, religiosity is thought to shape marital intimacy. Marital intimacy refers to the emotional closeness between partners, which includes both physical and emotional components. Studies have shown that married individuals who engage in frequent sex report greater marital satisfaction than those who do not (Baumeister et al., 2003), suggesting that sexual activity plays an important role in creating and maintaining intimacy within marriage. Religious people tend to emphasize abstinence until marriage, and some religions prohibit premarital sex entirely. This could limit opportunities for exploring intimacy before marriage and create challenges once they become married. On the other hand, some studies suggest that religious individuals experience more intimate relationships because of their shared values and commitment to faith (Hatfield et al., 2015). In general, though, there is limited evidence supporting a strong relationship between religiosity and marital intimacy.
How do religious convictions shape sexual desire, relational satisfaction, and marital intimacy?
Religious beliefs can have a significant impact on people's perception of sex, relationships, and marriage. Some religions promote abstinence until marriage, while others encourage monogamy and fidelity within marriage. Religious teachings also often emphasize the importance of being faithful to one's spouse and avoiding extramarital affairs. Additionally, some religions may place restrictions on certain types of behavior during intimate moments between partners.