Key points

One in six married adults report feeling lonely in their intimate relationship.

Loneliness is less about the number of relationships one has and more about the relationship quality.

Feeling lonely can diminish relational and sexual well-being in one's marriage.

Gratitude and seeing a partner as a confidant can protect relationship satisfaction.

Research has shown that being in an intimate relationship can deter feelings of loneliness by satisfying a need to belong (Mund et al., 2022). This sense of belonging can act as a buffer against loneliness and permits closeness-initiating behaviors. However, you can have an intimate partner and still feel lonely. About 1 in 6 older married men and women report moderate or intense feelings of loneliness (de Jong Gierveld & Broese va

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