Equity, Equality, and Self-Interest in Marital Maintenance

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which generalized equity, a reciprocal exchange approach to maintenance (e.g., reward minus costs), and a self-interest approach (e.g., rewards only) were associated with marital satisfaction. An online survey was distributed to 547 heterosexual married individuals. Results supported equity predictions for six maintenance behaviors when using a categorical measure of equity, and for five of the maintenance behaviors when using a linear measure of equity. Counter to predictions, equity and sex did not interact on the use of maintenance. Finally, a combination of equity, reciprocal exchange, and self-interest predicted 57% of the variance in marital satisfaction.