Why chores may be key to romance – if you’re a man

THERE may be good news for husbands who begrudgingly put the bins out when they are asked to.

Those who are grateful to their partners for nice things they have done are more likely to want to have sex with them, a study has, perhaps unsurprisingly, found.

Researchers tested the theory by asking volunteers to describe the last time they had felt gratitude towards their partner.

After writing about their other half’s kindness, those who were asked about their sex lives were more likely to say they wanted to keep their partner happy in the bedroom.

Individuals who felt most gratitude towards their partner in general were more likely to want to satisfy them sexually, according to the study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. That could mean a more active and enjoyable love life for couples who have been together a long time.

Professor Emily Impett, a co-author of the study from Toronto University, said: ‘We know that maintaining sexual satisfaction can be difficult for some longterm couples. Gratitude may just be one key to helping couples maintain their spark and their connection over time.’

Experts say that when someone is kind in a relationship, it reminds their partner of their value. The researchers based their findings on a survey of more than 300 people who were asked how strongly they agreed with statements such as ‘I appreciate my partner’.

The same people were asked about their love lives, with questions such as ‘how high a priority for you is meeting the sexual needs of your partner?’.