Work-to-Family Conflict and the Maternal Gatekeeping of Dual-Earner Mothers with Young Children

Survey data from 78 dual-earner mothers of preschool children were used to examine the association between perceptions of both spouses’ work-to-family conflict and maternal gatekeeping. Two regression models were estimated: One in which mother’s work-to-family conflict was included as a predictor, and one in which mother’s perception of father’s (spouse’s) work-to-family conflict was added. Competing hypotheses using role theory and identity theory were proposed. Results provided support for identity theory through a positive association between mothers’ work-to-family conflict and maternal gatekeeping. In regard to perception of spouse’s work-to-family conflict, both role and identity theories can be interpreted to suggest a positive association with maternal gatekeeping, and we found this was empirically the case.