Partner Attributes (Perceived and Idealized) Scale (PAPIS): Psychometric Evidence

This study aimed to provide evidence of construct validity and reliability for a measure assessing perceived and idealized partner attributes across two dimensions: achievement and sexuality. In Study 1 (N = 387; Mage = 25.4, SDage = 8.88; 52.2% women), exploratory analyses supported the expected two-dimensional structure, with satisfactory internal consistency (α > .70). In Study 2 (N = 200; Mage = 36.3, SDage = 12.88; 72.5% women), multidimensional scaling (ALSCAL) supported the representation of achievement-sexuality and perceived-idealized attributes within a two-dimensional space. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the two-factor structure of both versions, with adequate fit indices and reliability estimates. Measurement invariance analyses indicated comparable factor structures across gender, supporting meaningful comparisons between men and women. Multivariate analyses of covariance using the combined sample revealed gender and contextual differences in partner attribute importance, including participants from an urban state capital and a smaller municipality with a lower Human Development Index in Northeastern Brazil. Construct validity was further supported by associations with human values and dark personality traits, with idealized partner attributes more consistently related to excitement values and narcissistic traits. Overall, findings support the psychometric adequacy and utility of this brief measure for research on partner preferences and individual differences.