University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Toward a reconceptualization of paternal involvement in infancy: The role of maternal gatekeeping

Beitel, Ashley Howard

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Description

Title
Toward a reconceptualization of paternal involvement in infancy: The role of maternal gatekeeping
Author(s)
Beitel, Ashley Howard
Issue Date
1989
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Parke, Ross D.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Education, Educational Psychology
  • Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
Language
eng
Abstract
  • It is proposed that previous studies of the determinants of paternal involvement in infant care have produced equivocal findings due to the failure to consider maternal attitudes with respect to father involvement in child care. This study of paternal involvement employed a two-pronged strategy: (a) a large sample survey of 330 first-time mothers (married) of 3- to 5-month old infants and a subsample of 110 husbands and (b) observational analyses of a subsample of 55 families engaged in triadic and dyadic interactions in their homes.
  • Results indicated that maternal and paternal attitudinal factors derived a priori via principal component analysis accounted for significant portions of variance in five forms of paternal involvement. Maternal attitude factors remained significant despite prior entry of paternal attitudes, work involvement, birth preparation and attendance, education and marital satisfaction variables. Maternal factors predicted paternal stimulation of infants in observed dyadic and triadic situations.
  • The results suggest a need to (a) conceptualize the father as part of the family system, (b) recognize the role of maternal attitudes in determining father involvement, and (c) utilize a two-tiered methodological strategy in the study of family development.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/19523
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1989 Beitel, Ashley Howard

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