Perceptions of household labor divisions as unfair are associated with lower marital quality, particularly for women. However, perceived partner responsiveness -- individuals' beliefs about their partner as caring, validating, and understanding to one's core needs and values -- might buffer against the effects of unfair divisions of labor. This study examined perceived partner responsiveness as a moderator of the association between individual's perceptions of fairness of the division of household labor and global marital quality. The sample consisted of married or cohabiting adults from the third wave (2012) of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study (N = 1923). Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that perceived partner responsiveness did function as a moderator, such that at higher levels of PPR, perceptions of the division of labor as unfair were associated with higher marital quality and lower marital strain. Contrary to hypotheses, results did not differ by gender. These findings suggest the importance of positive relationship processes, such as perceptions of partner responsiveness, as buffers against the negative effects of unfair divisions of labor for couples.Includes bibliographical reference
