The gendered division of housework is an important predictor of relationship satisfaction, but the mechanisms linking these variables remain poorly understood. Using data on N = 487 couples from the 2006 Marital and Relationship Survey, the authors examine the association of heterosexual partners’ communication quality with the division of housework and the role of partners’ communication quality in the association between the division of housework and relationship satisfaction. Results from instrumental variable models and Actor-Partner Interdependence Models indicate that the quality of women’s communication with their male partners predicts how couples divide housework. The quality of men’s communication with their female partners, however, appears to be an outcome of domestic arrangements. Men’s communication quality mediates the association between the division of housework and women’ relationship satisfaction, while women’s communication quality confounds the association for men.

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Objective: The current study tested the individual associations of various dimensions of racialethnic identity, REI (i.e., private regard, public regard, and racial centrality) on depression, and their moderation effects in the relationship between racial discrimination and depression. Method: We conducted secondary data analysis using a large cross-sectional nationally representative sample of African American youth (n=810). We used hierarchical multiple regression modelling to test the moderation effects of REI dimensions in the relationship between racial discrimination and depression, controlling for demographics and parental support. Results: Eighty-six percent of the participants reported experiencing at least one of the racial discrimination experiences on the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Consistent with prior research, racial discrimination was associated with depressive symptoms; higher levels of emotional support from parents were significantly and negatively associated with depression. Most importantly, while the REI dimensions were positively correlated to one another, we found they have unique associations with depression. In particular, public regard moderated the association between racial discrimination and depression. Conclusions: While it is important to understand the independent effects of the various REI dimensions, the current study also suggests the need to understand their interactive effects on depression in the context of racial discrimination among African American youth.