Beyond the Ballot: The Associations Between Political Ideology, Division of Parental Work, Social Support, and the Relational and Parental Experiences of Mothers

Gender equality in the division of parental work is related to women’s relationship quality and well-being. This pre-registered dyadic study examined the association between couples’ political ideology, perceptions of the division of parental work, and relationship quality, parental satisfaction, and parental self-efficacy. In addition, the study examined the moderating role of social support. Two hundred and thirteen dyads completed measures of political ideology, division of parental work (CRS), relationship quality (PRQC), parental satisfaction and efficacy (PSOC), and perceived social support (MSPSS). Results showed that a more conservative political ideology, primarily among fathers, was associated with mothers’ perceptions that fathers did not carry their fair share of the parenting workload, which in turn was associated with mothers’ lower relationship quality and parental satisfaction. Examination of the mediated paths showed that conservative political ideology was indirectly associated with women’s lower relationship quality, parental satisfaction, and parental self-efficacy through perceptions of inequitable division of parental work. Moreover, women’s perceived social support moderated the association between the perceived equity of parental work and women’s relationship quality. Surprisingly, women’s perceived social support amplified, rather than buffered, this association. When perceived social support from family (but not friends) was high, the negative association between perceived inequitable parental work and women’s relationship quality was stronger. These findings highlight the role of political ideology within the family and its associations with relationship dynamics and parental behaviors.