Study shows importance of date nights

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - A University of Virginia study finds that relationships benefit when couples regularly arrange date nights or other one-on-one time.

The university's National Marriage Project released its "Date Night Opportunity" report Tuesday.

It found that couples who devote time to one another at least once a week are more likely to enjoy high-quality relationships and lower divorce rates.

The report reviewed social-science literature on relationships and analyzed data from two national surveys of couples who are married or living together. Both surveys had asked individuals how frequently they spent time in an activity alone with their spouse or partner.

National Marriage Project director Bradford Wilcox says the report's conclusion "isn't rocket science, but it's an important reminder."