Gendered beliefs and behaviors in couple relationships as predictors of physiological stress functioning

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate associations among egalitarianism and marital equity with patterns of diurnal cortisol.BackgroundGender role ideology (i.e., beliefs about gender roles on a spectrum from egalitarian to traditional) and marital equity (i.e., fairness in the division of marital tasks) are distinct constructs that are related to relationship outcomes as well as health, and stress physiology is a potential mechanism linking egalitarianism and marital equity to health.MethodsSixty‐two heterosexual couples with children completed several questionnaires, including gender ideology and division of household tasks (a measure of marital equity). Diurnal cortisol concentrations were assessed from saliva samples at four time points across 2 days.ResultsResults suggested that men's more traditional gender ideologies significantly predicted more dysregulated physiological stress functioning for both men and women, as indicated by lower cortisol levels at awakening as well as flatter cortisol slopes throughout the day. Women with more traditional gender ideologies had steeper slopes, an indicator of more regulated physiological functioning, when they reported engaging in greater traditional feminine tasks.ConclusionThese results suggest that men's greater traditional gender role ideology is linked to physiological stress dysregulation. In addition, when women have more traditional expectations, having more clearly delineated gendered roles in the home may relieve stress.ImplicationsThis research highlights the importance of addressing gender roles and ideologies in interventions for couples, including couples therapy. The inclusion of the assessment and discussion of gender roles and ideologies in couples therapy may help to alleviate physiological stress.