Social comparison,equality, and relationship satisfaction: Gender differences over a ten-year period

The central questions in the present study are (i) when comparing themselves with the partner, to what extent do women feel more deprived than men in their relationship with regard to relational inputs and life outcomes; (ii) do these perceptions affect relationship satisfaction among men and women in similar ways; (iii) have these patterns changed in the period 1977–1987; (iv) to what degree do comparisons with the same-sex others affect relationship satisfaction? Three studies were conducted in samples that were all heterogeneous with regard to age, length of the relationship, and educational level. Study 1, conducted in 1977, indicated that, compared to their partner, women felt more deprived and men more advantaged with respect to relational inputs and life outcomes. Further, being deprived and advantaged compared to the partner was accompanied with less satisfaction than being equal, whereas being advantaged was more satisfying than being deprived. However, being advantaged with regard to life outcomes was less rewarding for women than for men. Study 2, a replication of Study 1, 10 years later, indicated that this pattern had not changed over the years. In Study 3 it appeared that comparisons with same-sex others have a strong influence on relationship satisfaction. In general, most people consider themselves as better off than others, and the better off they feel in comparison to others, the more satisfied they are with their relationship. This seems to apply more to men than to women.