The Maternal Gatekeeping Scale: Constructing a Measure

Abstract

Objective To develop and test a measure that comprehensively captures the concept of maternal gatekeeping. Background Maternal gatekeeping encompasses the ways in which mothers restrict or support father involvement with children. We proposed a three‐dimensional (Encouragement, Discouragement, and Control) model of gatekeeping to describe the nuances of the maternal gatekeeping, but no measures have yet been developed that provide scholars with a way to empirically test the theoretical model. Method Data were collected from 256 mothers and 204 fathers of children between 3 and 7 years of age. A panel of national experts and parents established face validity, and a 3‐factor solution resulted in separate models for mothers and fathers. Results Correlations between the subscales and 2 established measures of gatekeeping and coparenting were examined to establish construct validity; the new measures correlated in expected ways. Conclusion The use of different items for mothers and fathers will allow scholars to account for differences depending on whether the reporter is engaged in gatekeeping or the recipient of gatekeeping behavior. Implications The new measure may be a useful tool for researchers attempting to measure maternal gatekeeping as a multidimensional construct.

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