A modelling of maternal gatekeeping antecedents, father involvement, and child behaviour structure

The current thesis aimed to test individual and familial factors thought to trigger maternal gatekeeping behaviours, to determine whether gatekeeping-related antecedents affect father involvement; and to test how gatekeeping antecedents affect children's socio-emotional outcomes through father involvement. Via questionnaires, mothers (n=1013) provided information about possible gatekeeping antecedents such as personality structures, gatekeeping behaviours, compliance with gender norms, spousal support, their own mothers' gatekeeping practices and parenting self-efficacy, besides children's socio-emotional status, while fathers (n=1013) provided information about their involvement, parenting self-efficacy, and perceived gatekeeping. For statistical analysis Pearson correlation tests, ANOVA, paired samples t-test, hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modelling were conducted. The mean levels of gatekeeping felt by fathers were found to be higher than those reported by mothers. The variables explaining gatekeeping were obtained as neuroticism (sub-dimension of personality), spousal support, conformity to gender norms, the level of gatekeeping of the mother and parental self-efficacy. It was noted that gatekeeping played a mediating role in the relationship between its antecedents and father involvement. Besides, gatekeeping played a mediating role in the relationship between its antecedents and father involvement. In the final models, gatekeeping mediated the relationship between antecedents other than parental self-efficacy and child socioemotional states, via father involvement. To deal with problem behaviours and promote social skills in early childhood, considering families holistically was discussed and recommendations for implementation were presented.