Maternal gatekeeping and paternal self-efficacy and mental health: The mediation of dyadic adjustment

Although underexplored, maternal gatekeeping can negatively interfere in the experience of fatherhood, leading to negative family outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the mediation role of dyadic adjustment in the association between maternal gatekeeping and paternal self-efficacy and mental health. A sample of 142 fathers of children aged between 0 months and 10 years completed self-reported measures of maternal gatekeeping, dyadic adjustment, parenting self-efficacy, and mental health. Lower perception of maternal gate-opening behaviors and higher perception of maternal gate-closing behaviors were associated with lower paternal self-efficacy and higher mental health problems. The association between maternal gatekeeping and paternal self-efficacy and mental health problems was mediated by dyadic adjustment. Findings suggested the importance of considering dyadic dimensions to understand the association between maternal gatekeeping and paternal self-efficacy and mental health problems. Parenting interventions aiming to promote paternal self-efficacy and mental health should adopt a couple-focused approach and target maternal gatekeeping.