This study examined the associations between ambivalent sexism (i.e., hostile and benevolent sexism) and relationship adjustment in young adult couples by testing an actor-partner interdependence model. The sample was composed of 219 cohabiting heterosexual Canadian couples. The findings suggest that ambivalent sexism plays a role in young adults’ perceptions of the quality of their romantic relationship, but gender differences exist. Women and men who more strongly endorsed hostile sexism tended to report lower relationship adjustment. Women’s hostile sexism was also negatively related to their partners’ relationship adjustment, whereas their benevolent sexism was positively related to their own and their partners’ relationship adjustment. For their part, men’s ambivalent sexism was unrelated to their partners’ relationship adjustment and their benevolent sexism was also unrelated to their own relationship adjustment. The results are discussed in light of the insidious consequences that can accompany ambivalent sexism. Even though hostile sexism functions to protect men’s societal advantages, it comes with costs to their romantic relationships. In contrast, despite the rewards benevolent sexism can bring on the relational level, its endorsement may hinder the attainment of gender equality by encouraging women to invest in their relationship at the expense of independent achievements.

这项研究通过测试演员与伴侣之间的相互依存模型，研究了矛盾的性别歧视（即敌对的和仁慈的性别歧视）与年轻成年夫妇之间的关系调整之间的联系。该样本由219位同居的异性恋加拿大夫妇组成。研究结果表明，矛盾的性别歧视在年轻人对他们浪漫关系质量的理解中起作用，但是存在性别差异。更加坚决支持敌对性别歧视的男人和女人倾向于报告较低的人际关系调整。妇女的敌对性别歧视与伴侣关系的调整也呈负相关，而仁慈的性别歧视与伴侣及其伴侣的关系呈正相关。就他们而言 男人矛盾的性别歧视与伴侣的关系调整无关，而仁慈的性别歧视也与自己的关系调整无关。根据可能导致歧义的性别歧视的隐性后果来讨论结果。即使敌对的性别歧视起到保护男人的​​社会优势的作用，但也会给他们浪漫的恋爱带来代价。相反，尽管仁慈的性别歧视可以带来关系上的回报，但它的认可可能会通过鼓励妇女以牺牲独立成就为代价来投资于他们的关系，从而阻碍实现性别平等。即使敌对的性别歧视起到保护男人的​​社会优势的作用，但也会给他们浪漫的恋爱带来代价。相反，尽管仁慈的性别歧视可以带来关系上的回报，但它的认可可能会通过鼓励妇女以牺牲独立成就为代价来投资于他们的关系，从而阻碍实现性别平等。即使敌对的性别歧视起到保护男人的​​社会优势的作用，但也会给他们浪漫的恋爱带来代价。相反，尽管仁慈的性别歧视可以带来关系上的回报，但它的认可可能会通过鼓励妇女以牺牲独立成就为代价来投资于他们的关系，从而阻碍实现性别平等。