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This study examines the relationship between equitylinequity and depression among married partners. The respondents are 333 married couples (666 respondents) from a midwestern state who were selected in a random sample based on population concentration. Equitylinequity is examined as it occurred in the performance of five family roles-cooking, housekeeping, provider, companion, and parent. It is predicted that (1) marriage partners who feel inequity in the performance of marital roles willfeel more distress than partners who perceive equity, and (2) marriage partners who perceive that inequity is in theirfavor willfeel less distress than those who perceive that inequity is not in their favor. The findings support the first hypothesis and provide directional but not statistically significant support for the second hypothesis. Explanations for the findings are drawn from equity theory and cognitive theories of depression.
Schafer et al. (Mon,) studied this question.