Benefits of equitable relationships: The impact of sense of fairness, household division of labor, and decision making power on perceived social support

We examine the impact of equity in intimate relationships on perceived soci al support among married and cohabiting individuals. We found performing al l inequitable portion of the housework or feeling one's portion of the hous ework is unfair corresponds with lower perceived social support for both in dividuals in advantaged and disadvantaged positions of power. The highest l evel of social support results when partners contribute equally to househol d decisions. In contrast to earlier studies, women do not perceive inequita ble household responsibilities as more fair than do men. We argue perceived social support is based in part on the structural conditions of marital ar rangements. Five percent of the participants identified as Black, 89% as Wh ite, and 6% as members of other racial groups. The average participant had just over a high school education, with a median family, income of $42,427.