Religion and Spirituality in Romantic Relationships

Using Mahoney’s Relational Spirituality Framework, we summarize mixed evidence that has linked global markers of general involvement in religion to the formation (partner selection, decisions to cohabit, date or marry), maintenance (union satisfaction, infidelity, domestic violence), and dissolution (divorce) of romantic relationships. We then examine four specific religious/spiritual (RS) factors that have been robustly tied to better relationship functioning: sanctification, spiritual intimacy, prayer for partner, and positive RS coping. Next, we discuss more rare but toxic RS factors that can undermine the quality of romantic unions and the well-being of the partners, particularly after romantic dissolution or divorce. We hope this chapter helps readers appreciate the roles of religion and spirituality, for better and worse, for romantic relationships.