Adult attachment as a predictor of maternal gatekeeping among new parents

Abstract

AbstractThis study examined the associations between expectant couples' adult attachment styles and new mothers' gatekeeping (i.e., maternal behaviors that may inhibit or encourage father involvement in parenting) at the transition to parenthood. Data were drawn from a study of 182 different‐gender dual‐earner couples followed from the third trimester of pregnancy through 3 months postpartum. In the third trimester, expectant parents reported their attachment anxiety and avoidance. At 3 months postpartum, mothers and fathers reported on mothers' gate opening and gate closing behaviors. Also, at 3 months postpartum, maternal gate opening and gate closing were coded during mother–father–infant interactions in play and caregiving. Actor–Partner Interdependence Models were conducted in IBM SPSS AMOS 21.0. Findings indicated that higher maternal anxiety predicted higher mother‐reported maternal gate closing, whereas higher paternal avoidance and higher paternal anxiety predicted lower father‐reported maternal gate opening. During caregiving, higher paternal anxiety predicted higher observed maternal gate closing, and higher maternal anxiety predicted lower observed maternal gate opening. Findings reveal the importance of attachment in coparenting relationships among new parents, as attachment anxiety and avoidance may shape maternal behaviors encouraging or hindering father involvement in parenting.