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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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] .

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.

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.

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.”

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.