Four Things to Enhance Marital Happiness Among Wives

A recent study by the Institute for Family Studies and the Wheatley Institute reveals key factors that significantly enhance marital happiness among wives. The research indicates that four primary attributes in husbands – commitment, protectiveness, shared church attendance and regular date nights – lead to a much higher likelihood of wives reporting being “very happy” in their marriages.

Commitment

First, and perhaps not surprisingly, the study reveals that wives with committed husbands are 399% more likely to report being very happy in their marriages. This data point illustrates the importance of husbands demonstrating dedication to the marital relationship.

According to the report, four significant components of creating commitment in marriage are: a desire for a future together, the sense of being a team, prioritizing the relationship and sacrificing for one another. Commitment fosters trust and security in the marital relationship and is key to long-term satisfaction in marriage.

Protectiveness

Next, data indicates that wives are 137% more likely to report being very happy in their marriage if their husbands exhibit protective behaviors.

Researchers say this finding was an unexpected indicator of happiness. Protective was listed among other personal traits, including ambition, confidence, physical strength, being a good provider, being respectful, attractive, loving and sexually responsive.

Researchers believe that the term “protective” refers not only to a wife’s sense of physical safety but also to the sense of protection surrounding the relationship demonstrated through loyalty, faithfulness and fidelity. In a broad sense, protection reassures wives that their husbands are protective of the marital relationship, which leads to stability and happiness for wives.

Shared Church Attendance

Third, the study indicates that wives who attend church regularly with their husbands have a 112% higher chance of being very happy in their marriages.

Shared religious beliefs and practices provide couples with a common framework of values, which increases marital stability and a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Religious engagement also promotes virtues like forgiveness, compassion and love, which are very beneficial to the long-term health of marriages.

The study declares, “More often than not, the couple that prays together flourishes together.”

Researchers point out that marriage and family are a significant part of religious devotion in almost all world religions. Religion encourages prioritizing family and commitment in marriage, which are vital to healthy families and marriages.

In addition, the study suggests that shared religious activities help wives and husbands manage stress, deal with relationship challenges and positively focus on shared future hopes.

Regular Date Nights

Finally, the data indicates that wives who reported having regular date nights with their husbands were 56% more likely to be happily married. Interestingly, wives who reported regular date nights were 84% more likely to report feeling stability in their marriages.

Researchers suggest that the link between date night frequency and the feeling of stability in marriage reveals that date nights are one way women determine the quality of their marriage.

In addition, the report demonstrates that regular date nights lead to better communication, more commitment and greater sexual satisfaction.  

Checklist for Marital Happiness

So, if you are a husband looking to enhance your wife’s marital happiness and create a more fulfilling and stable relationship, consider incorporating these attributes into your marital life daily.

• Demonstrate Unwavering Commitment: Prioritize the marriage and actively work through challenges together.

• Be Protective: Offer support and reassurance, stand by your wife in times of need and faithfully protect your marital relationship.

• Attend Church Together Regularly: Go to church with your wife and family, build a set of shared values and pray together.

• Make Date Nights a Priority: Plan regular date nights and keep romance alive.

By embracing these behaviors, husbands can take the lead in building healthy and strong marriages.

Image from Shutterstock.