Probing the predictive validity of ideal partner preferences for future partner traits and relationship outcomes across 13 years

Abstract

The current study addresses the open question whether ideal partner preferences are linked to relationship decisions and relationship outcomes. Using a longitudinal design across 13 years, we investigated whether partner preferences are associated with perceived characteristics of actual partners (i.e. ideal-trait correlation) and whether a closer match between ideals and perceptions of a partner’s traits is associated with better relationship outcomes (i.e. ideal partner preference-matching effects). A community sample of 178 participants (90 women) reported their ideal partner preferences in 2006 (mean age at T2 M = 45.7 years, SD = 7.2). In 2019, they reported their relationship histories since then, providing ratings of 322 relationships. We found a positive association between participants’ initial ideals and partner trait perceptions. This ideal-trait correlation was stronger with current ideals, consistent with the possibility of preference adjustment towards the partner. The match between ideals and perceived partner traits was operationalised using different metrics. A closer match was associated with higher relationship commitment across all metrics, while for relationship quality, the link was not apparent for the corrected pattern metric. Evidence of matching effects for relationship length was mixed and largely absent for break-up initiation. Implications for the ideal partner preference literature are discussed.