Examining actor–partner effects between social dominance, relationship power, sexism, and marital quality

• Published date: 01 April 2024
• Author: Aysoltan Ymamgulyyeva,Nilüfer Kafescioğlu,Mehmet Harma
• Date: 01 April 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12881

RESEARCH

Examining actor–partner effects between

social dominance, relationship power, sexism,

and marital quality

Aysoltan Ymamgulyyeva

1

| Nilüfer Kafescio

glu

2

|

Mehmet Harma

3,4

1

Department of Human Development and

Family Studies, Michigan State University,

East Lansing, MI

2

Department of Psychology, Ozyegin

University, Istanbul, Turkey

3

Department of Psychology, Kadir Has

University, Istanbul, Turkey

4

Faculty of Psychology, University of

Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland

Correspondence

Aysoltan Ymamgulyyeva, 552 W Circle Dr.,

East Lansing, MI 48823, USA.

Email: aysoltan.imamkulyyeva@ozu.edu.tr

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the actor–

partner effects of attitudes toward group-based inequality

as measured by social dominance orientation (SDO) and

marital quality, and the indirect actor–partner effects of

SDO on marital quality via ambivalent sexism and part-

ners’perceptions of their own relationship power toward

their partner.

Background: Previous research suggests that certain social

attitudes play a role in relationship processes. However, it

is unclear whether broader views on social inequality could

have an effect on partners’marital quality.

Method: Ninety heterosexual married couples in Turkey

(N=180) responded via an online survey on SDO, marital

quality, relationship power, and ambivalent sexism. Actor–

partner interdependence model (APIM) and actor–partner

interdependence model of mediation (APIMeM) were

conducted to examine the direct and indirect actor–partner

effects.

Results: For indirect effects, men’s SDO was negatively

associated with their marital quality through their relation-

ship power and hostile sexism. No significant indirect

effects were found for women. However, women’s rela-

tionship power was positively and their benevolent sexism

was negatively associated with their own and their part-

ners’marital quality.

Author note: We have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Materials and analysis code for this study are available by emailing the

corresponding author.

Received: 25 November 2021 Revised: 16 February 2023 Accepted: 11 March 2023

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12881

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and

reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2023 The Authors. Family Relations published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Council on Family Relations.

Family Relations. 2024;73:1311–1328. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare 1311

Conclusion: Our findings help develop a more comprehen-

sive understanding of how the political, social, and per-

sonal aspects of our lives are connected with one another.

Implications: Our study points to the importance of explor-

ing the topic of men’s and women’s views toward social

inequality and its effects on their close relationships in clin-

ical practice and relational education.

KEYWORDS

dyadic analysis, marital quality, relationship power, sexism, social

dominance orientation

Social inequality can be viewed as a common characteristic of many hierarchical societies

(Sidanius & Pratto, 1999). Societal issues and processes have been theorized to influence our

lives as individuals, as well as couple or family units (Carter & McGoldrick, 1999). Previous

research points to social attitudes (i.e., sexism) influencing such relationship processes as partici-

pants’perceptions of their partners and relationship expectations (Hammond &

Overall, 2013a). Hence, it is important to try and understand if the sociopolitical context and

our attitudes toward it may play a role in intimate relationship dynamics. However, attitudes

toward group-based inequality as they relate to intimate relationship outcomes have not

received adequate attention in the literature. In order to better understand the role that social

inequality plays in intimate relationships, we examined social dominance orientation (SDO) in

couples, which refers to the extent individuals support or reject group-based inequality and exis-

ting hierarchies (Pratto et al., 1994).

First, previous research has shown that views on and attitudes toward social inequality and

hierarchies are related to various variables pertaining to close relationships. Findings suggest a

link between social power differentials created within hierarchical social structures and SDO

among individuals (Aiello et al., 2018). More extensive research done on the role of social and

relationship power with couple dynamics highlights the importance of considering power within

the couple or marital relationships as it has been linked to sexual desire (Brezsnyak &

Whisman, 2004), emotional experiences (Langner & Keltner, 2008), relationship satisfaction

(Lennon et al., 2013; Sprecher & Felmlee, 1997), and marital satisfaction (Schwarzwald

et al., 2008; Zimbler, 2012). These findings, together with the theoretical work from the field of

couple and family therapy by Carter and McGoldrick (1999), suggest that couple relationship

outcomes may be influenced by social views and attitudes through the measures of partners’

perceived power.

Second, aside from perceptions of relationship power among partners, relationship quality

may also be influenced by hierarchies within heterosexual relationships. SDO and sexism have

a long-established relationship in the literature because sexism is a form of prejudice

encompassed by the social dominance theory (Bareket et al., 2018; Russell & Trigg, 2004; Sibley

et al., 2007; Sidanius & Pratto, 1999). Sexism can be broadly defined as prejudice against

women with sexist attitudes ranging from hostile to benevolent (Glick & Fiske, 1996,2001).

Moreover, sexism has also been linked to relationship outcomes such as relationship satisfac-

tion (Casad et al., 2015; Hammond & Overall, 2013b) and relationship quality (Hammond &

Overall, 2013a). In summary, SDO is connected to sexism, and sexism, in turn, is associated

with relationship outcomes.

Allinall,investigatingthelinks between individuals’attitudes toward group-based

inequality, the degree to which they can influence their romantic relationships, and how

adjusted they are in their relationships can contribute to the way we view and understand cou-

ple relationships. Of particular interest is how people in couple relationships interact within

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