Citation

Le YC, Aune KS. Interpers. Int. J. Pers. Relatsh. 2011; 5(2): 204-221.

Affiliation

Academic Affairs, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, PsychOpen, Leibniz-Institute for Psychology Information, Trier, Germany, on behalf of the International Center for Interpersonal Relationship Research, Brazil.)

DOI

10.5964/ijpr.v5i2.64

PMID

25083172

PMCID

PMC4114516

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between relational uncertainty and perceptions of division of household labor (DHL) in cohabiting and married couples. Specifically, research questions explored perceived fairness in DHL and relational uncertainty, perceptual convergence of contributions, convergence of perceptions and relational uncertainty, and convergence of perceptions and relationship satisfaction. A behavioral methodology called the Household Portrait Technique was employed to examine how couples discuss how they decide who does what in the household. A total of 33 couples independently completed a self-report instrument and jointly participated in the Household Portrait activity.

RESULTS showed that husbands and wives were agreed in their perceptions of fairness. Couples agreed that husbands do more of the outdoor work and automobile maintenance whereas wives do more of the childcare. Convergent perceptions regarding DHL was positively associated with relational certainty and marginally associated with relationship satisfaction.

Language: en