The Mediating Role of Maternal Gatekeeping between Father Involvement and Father-Child Relationship

This study examined the role of maternal gatekeeping behaviors in mediating the relationship between father involvement and the father-child relationship. A sample of 594 parents (297 fathers and 297 mothers) with 4–5-year-old children participated. Data were collected using the “Child-Parent Relationship Scale (Father Form),” “Father Involvement Scale,” and “Maternal Gatekeeping Behavior Scale.” Results revealed that father involvement directly affects the father-child relationship. Maternal encouraging behaviors positively correlated with father involvement and improved the father-child relationship, while controlling and discouraging behaviors had a negative impact. Maternal gatekeeping behaviors partially mediated the effect of father involvement on the father-child relationship.