Mother Involvement Research
This section brings together research examining patterns of maternal involvement and caregiving, and how variations in involvement relate to children’s development and adjustment. The studies included here explore factors such as consistency of care, caregiving roles, and changes in involvement over time, particularly following family separation. This research is commonly referenced in discussions of parenting arrangements and child well-being.
Comparisons of Levels and Predictors of Mothers’ and Fathers’ Engagement With Their Preschool-Aged Children.
Schoppe-Sullivan et al. (2013)
This study examines levels of maternal and paternal engagement with preschool-aged children and factors associated with variations in parental involvement. Maternal involvement is treated as a measurable caregiving construct, allowing for direct comparison across parents and family contexts.
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Maternal engagement with preschool-aged children is observable and measurable across multiple dimensions of caregiving.
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Levels of maternal involvement vary based on family, work, and contextual factors.
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Parental engagement patterns reflect caregiving behaviors rather than assumptions about parental roles.
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The study emphasizes examining how parents are involved, rather than relying on parent gender alone.
Relations of Parenting Quality, Interparental Conflict, and Overnights With Mental Health Problems of Children in Divorcing Families With High Legal Conflict
(Sandler, Wheeler, & Braver, 2013)
This study examines how maternal and paternal parenting quality relate to children’s mental health outcomes in divorcing families experiencing high legal conflict. The authors analyze whether parenting behaviors are associated with child well-being independently of interparental conflict and parenting time arrangements. Maternal parenting quality is explicitly measured and evaluated alongside paternal parenting quality.
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Maternal parenting quality is independently associated with children’s mental health outcomes, even in high-conflict divorce contexts.
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Parenting behaviors contribute to child adjustment beyond the effects of interparental conflict alone.
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Positive parenting practices may buffer some of the risks associated with high legal and interpersonal conflict.
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Both maternal and paternal parenting quality are relevant factors in understanding child well-being during divorce.