The Relationship Between Provider-Role Consistency and Marital Outcomes

Abstract

This study explored the effect of provider-role consistency on marital outcomes and the extent to which perceived fairness moderates the relationship between provider-role consistency and the outcome of depression and marital satisfaction. Secondary analyses were conducted on assessment materials for 64 couples presenting for therapy at a university-based clinic. For males, the results indicated that perceptions of fairness in the division of household labor were associated with lower levels of depression and greater marital satisfaction, and perceived unfairness was associated with lower marital satisfaction, although the relationship was much stronger for provider-role consistent men than provider-role inconsistent men. In the female sample, higher perceptions of fairness were associated with greater marital satisfaction but not depression. Contrary to predictions, no relationship was found between provider-role consistency and perceived fairness, depression, and marital satisfaction for males and females. The results have important implications for future research on provider-roles and effective couples therapy.