Sex-Role Attitudes, Social Comparison and Relationship Satisfaction

摘要

The study questions whether relationship satisfaction is more related to equitycomparison with the partner or with a reference group. Two non-exclusive hypotheses derived from social comparison theory were tested. First, it was expected that the association between comparison with the partner and satisfaction would be stronger among individuals with egalitarian sex role beliefs, while among individuals adhering to traditional sex role beliefs, satisfaction would be more closely related to comparison with a reference group (the similarity hypothesis). Secondly, it was predicted that comparisons with others, including their partner, would be more salient among individuals who feel uncertain about how things are going in their relationship (the uncertainty reduction hypothesis). Partial support for both hypotheses was found. Furthermore, individuals with egalitarian sex role beliefs felt more uncertain about their relationship and were less satisfied with their relationship.