1. Introduction
According to the 2022 Pew Research Center, 69% of US citizens report being married, living with a partner, or in a committed romantic relationship [1]. However, 41% of first-time marriages end in divorce [2]. Researchers agree that the degree of marital happiness relates to physical health [3]. One study notes that marital quality generally predicts poorer health and goes on to note that poor marital quality “increases the risk for mood and anxiety disorders and exacerbates and perpetuates substance-use disorders” [3]. To improve marital and relationship happiness, mobile applications have been developed to improve relationships. However, little research has been conducted to determine what apps are available and what features are present to positively impact marriages and long-term relationships. This study aims to conduct a scoping review to examine existing apps and review features related to marital and long-term relationship success factors identified in the literature.
2. Literature Review
Reviewing and summarizing relevant literature is essential when developing a study to determine current research and establish the research agenda. The initial section will look at long-term relationships, marriage, and health. Next, there will be a review of mobile apps for behavioral change. The literature review section will conclude with developing the research gap for this study.
2.1. Long-Term Relationships, Marriage, and Health
Several studies have noted the role that marital satisfaction plays in the role of health. Kiecolt-Glaser and Newton conducted a literature review of 64 articles related to marital satisfaction and health [4]. The researchers determined that negative marital functioning (a combination of marital quality and marital interaction) has both indirect and direct influences on health outcomes related to depression, health habits, and cardiovascular health.
Chung and Kim examined the benefits of marriage in East Asian populations [5]. The researchers utilized self-rated health survey data. They reviewed respondent information concerning their self-evaluation of their marriage as either satisfied or dissatisfied. Their research determined that marital satisfaction has a greater impact on self-rated health than marriage itself.
Robles explored how researchers measure marital quality and physical health [3]. Their review notes that a meta-analysis of the literature shows a small but consistent association between greater marital quality and better health. Their study concludes by noting the need to “oxygenate” a marriage by increasing the amount of time and energy invested in it. Further, the author notes that efforts to increase marital quality may also promote health.
2.2. Mobile Apps for Behavior Change
Mobile applications can play a positive role in behavioral change and positively impact well-being, both in terms of positive feelings and positive functions in life [6]. It is estimated that over 5 million lifestyle-related apps have been downloaded, with over 4 million related to health and fitness [7]. Apps geared towards behavioral change may implement behavioral change techniques such as goals and planning, feedback and monitoring, social support, and shaping knowledge [6]. Behavioral change apps have been used to improve physical activity [8], diet [9], reduction in consuming alcohol [10], and several other categories.
2.3. Research Gap
The above literature review notes the role that the quality of long-term relationships and marriage play concerning physical health. Further, the research highlighted the need to increase the amount of time and energy invested into long-term relationships and marriages to see potential positive health benefits. Further, the above literature review notes the role that mobile applications can play in behavioral change, citing examples of how mobile applications have been used for behavioral change.
While apps exist that focus on marriage and long-term relationship improvement, the researcher could find no current literature that discusses the current landscape of these apps and how they are utilized for relationship improvement. Therefore, this study is needed to expand research in relationship improvement apps.
3. Method
3.1. App Search
Figure 1 displays the methodology used in this study. This study reviewed paid, free, and freemium apps for Apple iPhones and Android-based phones in the official app stores. These two operating systems comprise over 99% of the market share [11]. The search terms “marriage” and “relationships” were used to identify potential apps. These two search terms were identified as key terms to identify apps in their respective app stores that can potentially be utilized in this study. The researcher searched for apps that contained the key terms in the title or the app’s description.
Figure 1. Flow diagram of study method.
3.2. App Selection
To ensure the apps used for this study meet the requirements, a set of criteria was established to evaluate apps. Apps were included in this study based on the following criteria extracted from the description:
If an app was located on both platforms, the app counted only once for this study.
3.3. Data Abstraction
To review each app, metadata elements were extracted into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This includes the app store in which the app was identified, the app name, the app rating, and the number of reviews. Furthermore, the app description was added to the Excel spreadsheet for review.
3.4. Relationship Areas of Focus for Evaluation
To aid in evaluating the apps, the author reviewed relevant literature on factors influencing a marriage. While several factors were identified, the author narrowed the list to factors that could be implemented in current technologies. Those factors are finance [12], making decisions together [12], setting and tracking goals together [12], religion [12] [14], expressing love [13], sex and intimacy [13] [14], communication [14], and conflict resolution [14].
3.5. AI Analysis
The descriptions of all the apps identified were analyzed using generative AI to complete the analysis. Vo, Chen, Aquino, Carter, Do, and Woode note that generative AI “holds significant value in qualitative research for the purpose of identification and categorization of recurring concepts, and eventually theme identification” [15]. Claude.AI (Sonnet 3.5) was used for the analysis. Claude.AI was selected for this study as Uppalapati and Nag note, “Claude AI’s dominance in relevance and completeness, suggesting its superior ability to generate contextually pertinent and thorough responses” [16].
For this study, the researcher asked Claude.AI to summarize the article based on the eight factors identified. Further, the research asked Claude.AI to identify factors that were featured in the apps that were missed in the analysis. The first prompt that was provided to Claude.AI stated:
For my first paper in this research project, I have identified eight factors that can impact a marriage or long-term relationship through literature. Those factors are finances, making decisions together, setting goals together, religion, expressing love to each other, sex/intimacy, communication, and conflict resolution.
For this paper, I have identified a series of mobile apps on the iOS app and Google Play Store. Attached is the description of each of the apps identified. Based on the app description and identified factors, please provide me a summary.
After reviewing the feedback provided by Claude.AI, the second prompt was asked:
Are there factors mentioned in the description that I missed in my analysis.
4. Results
4.1. Summary of Search Results and General App Characteristics
Searching both app stores in January 2025 yielded 51 apps before combining apps featured on both platforms. The average rating for the apps was 4.5 stars, with a total of over 631,000 reviews. In reviewing each platform, iOS-specific and Android-specific apps received a 4.5 rating, with iOS apps having over 460,000 reviews and Android apps having over 160,000 reviews. Table 1 highlights the apps that were reviewed for this study, the App Store in which they were located, the star rating for the app store, and the number of reviews provided.
4.2. Assessment and Discussion of Features
Figure 2 highlights the number of times each identified factor is implemented in the reviewed apps. Communication (36/38), Sex/Intimacy (23/38), and Expressions of Love (21/23) were the most common features of the reviewed apps that aided in the factors that impact marital satisfaction. Religion (1/38) was the factor that was addressed the least in the reviewed apps. However, Karimi, Bakhtiyari, and Masjedi Arani note religion’s critical importance in marital happiness [14]. The authors note that religion is a “…coping strategies that give couples commitment, capability to accept adversity, and a sense of family community and stability.”
Figure 3 highlights the number of factors addressed by apps. The majority of the apps evaluated address 2 (14 apps), 3 (10 apps), or 5 (6 apps) of the factors of marital happiness. Only one app evaluated supported 6 of the 8 factors identified (Finance, Goal Setting, Religion, Expression of Love, Sex/Intimacy, and Communication).
The importance of this study is noted in the analysis performed by Claude.AI. In the concluding section of Claude.AI’s response to the first prompt, the generative AI engine stated the following:
The analysis reveals that while relationship apps extensively cover communication, expression of love, and intimacy, there are significant gaps in addressing finances, decision-making, and religious aspects of relationships. This suggests opportunities for new apps or existing apps to expand their coverage of these underserved areas while maintaining the engaging and user-friendly approaches that characterize successful relationship apps.
The analysis notes that the factors identified as important in relationship growth, there are features needed that could enhance current apps or provide opportunities for new apps to be developed to address the identified gap.
The features identified above impact categories and factors that positively impact marriages and long-term relationships. Through a review of the literature, Asoodeh et al. [12] identified several categories that predict a strong marriage, including the ones included in this study. Dey and Ghosh [13] noted in their study on factors of successful marriages that “the importance of this study lies in recommendations for reducing marital stress and enhancing marital satisfaction.”
Table 1. Apps identified for the study.
App Name |
App Store |
Rating |
No. of Reviews |
Apple |
Google |
Apple |
Google |
Ally Couples & Relationships |
Google |
NA |
3.9 |
NA |
41 |
Anatomy of Marriage |
Apple |
4.4 |
NA |
36 |
NA |
Between, The App Couples Love |
Apple |
4.8 |
NA |
20,500 |
NA |
Blueheart: Relationship Health |
Google |
NA |
4.2 |
NA |
469 |
Couple Game: Relationship Quiz |
Both |
4.5 |
4.0 |
5600 |
16,300 |
Couple Joy - Relationship App |
Both |
4.9 |
4.9 |
2400 |
1730 |
CoupleGrow: Build Together |
Both |
4.7 |
4.4 |
6400 |
1790 |
CoupleMind: Relationship App |
Google |
NA |
4.2 |
NA |
37 |
Couples - Better Relationships |
Both |
4.7 |
4.1 |
2900 |
1020 |
Couples Games: Desire for Love |
Apple |
3.8 |
NA |
19 |
NA |
Couples Guide BondBeyond |
Google |
NA |
4.7 |
NA |
571 |
Couples Questions by LoveCardz |
Apple |
4.3 |
NA |
6 |
NA |
Couply: The App for Couples |
Google |
NA |
4.5 |
NA |
1780 |
Cozy Couples: Relationship App |
Both |
4.9 |
4.8 |
14,600 |
2800 |
Deeper Talks: Relationships |
Google |
NA |
4.1 |
NA |
752 |
Evergreen: Relationship Growth |
Both |
4.8 |
4.7 |
47,500 |
8490 |
Happy Couple |
Google |
NA |
4.6 |
NA |
2120 |
Intimately Us for Couples |
Apple |
4.9 |
NA |
3000 |
NA |
JustUS: Couples & Relationships |
Google |
NA |
4.4 |
NA |
281 |
Kuddl: Couples & Relationships |
Google |
NA |
4.3 |
NA |
671 |
Lasting: Marriage & Couples |
Both |
4.7 |
4.4 |
24,700 |
8400 |
Love Nudge |
Both |
4.6 |
4.4 |
17,800 |
11,000 |
Love8 - App for Couples |
Google |
NA |
4.7 |
NA |
18,300 |
LoveSync: Better Intimacy |
Apple |
4.0 |
NA |
167 |
NA |
Lovewick: Relationship Tracker |
Both |
4.8 |
3.8 |
1900 |
353 |
Lovify: Fun Couple Games |
Google |
NA |
4.5 |
NA |
10,900 |
Luvy - App for Couples |
Google |
NA |
4.4 |
NA |
394 |
Marriage 365: Couples Therapy |
Both |
4.9 |
4.5 |
479 |
266 |
Marriage Growth & Counseling |
Apple |
4.7 |
NA |
724 |
NA |
Memory Tree: For Relationships |
Both |
4.8 |
4.6 |
1600 |
31,700 |
MoodMe: Relationship Mood App |
Google |
NA |
3.9 |
NA |
968 |
Official: Relationship Tracker |
Both |
4.7 |
4.5 |
24,700 |
8110 |
Paired: Couples & Relationships |
Apple |
4.7 |
NA |
140,500 |
NA |
Relish: Relationship & Couples |
Apple |
4.5 |
NA |
2300 |
NA |
Sex Games for Couple: Naughty! |
Apple |
4.8 |
NA |
14,400 |
NA |
Sex Roulette: Couples Games |
Apple |
4.5 |
NA |
10,200 |
NA |
SumOne: For Relationships |
Both |
4.9 |
4.7 |
16,300 |
141,000 |
Ultimate Intimacy |
Apple |
4.8 |
NA |
2100 |
NA |
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Figure 2. Frequency of factors featured in reviewed apps.
Figure 3. Number of factors addressed by apps.
Table 2. Featured identified by Claude.AI not included in study.
Relationship Factor Addressed by App |
Covers |
Trust and Security |
Building and maintaining trust Emotional security Attachment styles Vulnerability Privacy concerns in relationship |
Family and Social Relationships |
Extended family relationships In-law relationships Social circle management Friend relationships Work-life balance |
Physical/Geographic Distance Management |
Long-distance relationship management Location sharing Distance countdown Virtual togetherness Synchronized activities |
Mental Health and Well-Being |
Stress management Anxiety in relationships Depression impact Self-care within relationship Emotional regulation |
Shared Activities and Quality Time |
Date planning Shared hobbies Joint activities Virtual pet raising Game playing together |
Personal Growth and Development |
Individual self-improvement Personal development Career support Learning and growth Identity within relationship |
Memory Creation and Documentation |
Photo sharing Milestone tracking Journal keeping Memory archiving Anniversary celebrations |
Cultural and Value Alignment |
Shared values Cultural differences Life philosophy Future vision alignment Belief systems |
Time Management and Scheduling |
Shared calendars Event planning Daily routines Schedule coordination Important date reminders |
Emotional Intelligence and Understanding |
Emotional awareness Empathy development Mood tracking Emotional expression Partner understanding |
Finally, Karimi et al. [14] discuss the importance of sexual satisfaction and how it is necessary for marital stability that correlates with a positive impact on mental health.
Finally, when the app descriptions were loaded into Claude.AI, the generative AI tool identified several factors that the apps addressed that were not identified in this study. These success factors in marriage included Trust and Security, Family and Social Relationships, Mental Health and Well-Being, Personal Growth and Development, and Emotional Intelligence and Understanding. Table 2 highlights each relationship factor the app addresses that are not featured in the study design. Further, the table notes what is covered in that factor.
5. Conclusion
Mobile apps are vital tools in behavioral change and impacting health-related outcomes. Several apps in the iOS and Android ecosystem promote the potential to improve relationships with one’s partner. Improving one’s relationship can positively influence one’s health. This study evaluated 38 apps based on eight factors influencing the success of marriages and long-term relationships and provided a list of features not widely utilized in relationship improvement apps. While these features were identified as necessary and included in the apps evaluated, additional features can enhance relationships. Future studies will provide the opportunity to identify additional app features that impact these factors. In addition, future studies will be needed to measure the impact of these apps on improving marriages and long-term relationships. Finally, future studies can explore the factors that lead to the adoption and continued use of these apps in relationship improvement.