RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTIMACY AND PERCEIVED PARTNER RESPONSIVENESS AMONG MARRIED COUPLES

Abstract

Marriage relies on emotional intimacy and partner responsiveness, both of which are central to marital satisfaction. This study examined the relationship between intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness among married couples in the Indian context. A total of 120 participants (60 males, 60 females) aged 20–35 years completed the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) Scale and the Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale (PPRS). Independent samples t-tests revealed that females reported significantly higher levels of emotional intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness, whereas males reported higher sexual intimacy. Pearson correlation analyses indicated a strong positive relationship between emotional intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness (r = .70, p < .01), with social, sexual, intellectual and recreational intimacy also showing significant positive relationships. These findings highlight the pivotal role of partner responsiveness in fostering intimacy and indicate that gender and cultural expectations influence marital dynamics in India.