[16] SPOUSAL AGE GAP AND MARITAL DYNAMICS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LOVE, ATTACHMENT-RELATED RELATIONAL FUNCTIONING, AND SEXUALITY AMONG MARRIED COUPLES IN WEST BENGAL: ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Mar 28, 2026, Revised: Apr 5, 2026, Accepted: Apr 9 , 2026, CrossRef d.o.i : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i4.2026.197-209. How To Cite: Rajib Ghosh (2026). Spousal Age Gap and Marital Dynamics: A Comparative Study of Love, Attachment-Related Relational Functioning, and Sexuality among Married Couples in West Bengal. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews. 5(4). 197-209.

Dr. Rajib Ghosh

Authors

Dr. Rajib Ghosh Department of Psychology, Raniganj Girls’ College, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India.

Abstract

Marriage remains one of the most enduring and psychologically significant forms of intimate partnership. Despite its importance, the dynamics of marital satisfaction and relationship quality in the context of spousal age gaps remain underexplored. This study examines how age disparities between spouses influence love styles, attachment-related relational functioning, and sexuality among married couples in West Bengal. A total of 200 participants were divided into two groups based on spousal age gap: 0–5 years and more than 5 years. Participants completed the Love Attitudes Scale-Short Form, Passionate Love Scale, Relationship Questionnaire, and Sexuality Scale to assess dimensions of romantic love, attachment, and sexuality. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between the groups. Specifically, the 0–5 years age-gap group reported higher levels of passionate love, sexual esteem, and relationship functioning, whereas the more than 5 years age-gap group exhibited more practical love and higher scores on Eros and Agape love styles. These findings suggest that smaller age-gap marriages tend to be more emotionally intense and sexually confident, while larger age-gap marriages emphasise stability and practicality. This nuanced understanding of how age gaps mediate marital dynamics contributes significantly to the existing literature on relationship psychology, particularly within the understudied cultural context of India.