The Compatibility of Ideal and Real Romantic Partner Characteristics, Attachment to Partner and Relationship Satisfaction Among Indian Women

This study examined the compatibility between the characteristics of ideal and real romantic partners, attachment to partner (defined by two categories—avoidance and anxiety) and relationship satisfaction of (N = 272) women involved in close heterosexual relationships. As hypothesized, higher compatibility of ideal and real romantic partner characteristics was related to lower levels of avoidance and anxiety and higher levels of relationship satisfaction. This study also revealed that the three-factor model for ideal partner (partner warmth-trustworthiness, vitality-attractiveness, and status-resources), designed by Fletcher, Simpson et al. (1999) was not fully suitable to Indian women; there were five major dimensions, which defined what women used as standards to evaluate ideal partners. The study showed that: older women more than younger ones desired external and family—related attributes of ideal partner. The results suggest that ideals may be very important for satisfying relationships and secure connection with the romantic partner. The cultural differences in evaluative dimensions for ideal partner needs further investigation.