MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Associations Between Maternal Gatekeeping and Fathers’ Parenting Quality

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2018

ISSN: 10621024

DOI: 10.1007/s10826-018-1107-3

Abstract: High-quality father involvement in childrearing is associated with positive child outcomes. Yet, variability between fathers in parenting quality remains. The present study examined associations between maternal gatekeeping and fathers’ observed parenting quality in 182 dual-earner families who transitioned to parenthood in 2008–2009. Maternal gatekeeping, or beliefs and behaviors that may serve to discourage (gate close) or encourage (gate open) father involvement in childrearing, was measured using fathers’ reports at 3- and 9-months postpartum. Fathers’ parenting quality was assessed during a brief observational task at 3- and 9-months postpartum. A cross-lagged structural equation model, which included repeated measures of maternal gate closing, gate opening, and fathers’ parenting quality (i.e., sensitivity, detachment, and positive regard) at 3- and 9-months postpartum, revealed associations between maternal gatekeeping and fathers’ parenting quality. In particular, fathers who experienced greater gate closing at 3-months postpartum showed greater relative declines in parenting quality at 9-months postpartum. Of note, maternal gate opening at 3-months postpartum was not associated with fathers’ parenting quality at 9-months postpartum. Additionally, paths from fathers’ parenting quality at 3-months postpartum to maternal gatekeeping at 9-months postpartum were not significant. This is the first study to examine longitudinal associations between maternal gatekeeping and fathers’ parenting quality.

Url: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-018-1107-3

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Altenburger, Lauren E.; Schoppe-Sullivan, Sarah J.; Kamp Dush, Claire M.

Periodical (Full): Journal of Child and Family Studies

Issue: 8

Volume: 27

Pages: 2678-2689

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop