INQUIRER.net Stock Photo
As the old saying goes, “The heart wants what the heart wants,” which seems to apply to ladies with “less desirable” romantic partners.
A recent study by researchers from Florida State University suggests that women with less attractive spouses are perceived to be much happier than other couples.
The study titled “Adopting a dyadic perspective to better understand the association between physical attractiveness and dieting motivations and behaviors,” took data from 113 newlywed couples in their 20s—and assessed if overall attractiveness was related to their level of relationship satisfaction.
The first test was done through a questionnaire where participants were tasked to rank their preferred desirability levels based on face and body attractiveness.
Statistics revealed that women with good-looking husbands had higher insecurity tendencies and were obsessed with losing weight to please their partners.
“The results reveal that having a physically attractive husband may have negative consequences for wives, especially if those wives are not particularly attractive,” lead researcher Tania Reynolds said.
However, those with “uglier” husbands felt no pressure at all to diet and get fit, which led to much higher satisfactory relationship levels.
Although the study’s findings could indeed be shocking, Reynolds assured “good-looking” husbands have nothing to worry about as long as they communicate with their partners.
“One way to help these women is for partners to be very reaffirming, reminding them, ‘You’re beautiful. I love you at any weight or body type,” she advised.
“Or perhaps focusing on the ways they are a good romantic partner outside of attractiveness and emphasizing those strengths: ‘I really value you because you’re a kind, smart and supportive partner.” Khristian Ibarrola /ra