Addressing Maternal Gatekeeping in Early
InterventionJane Puhlman, University of Maine
Daniel J. Puhlman, University of Maine
We have no relevant financial or nonfinancial relationships in the products or services described, reviewed, evaluated or compared in this presentation.
Learner Outcomes● Participants will be able to identify the importance of involving
fathers in EI intervention services.
● Participants will be able to identify and describe the various types
of maternal gatekeeping behaviors.
● Participants will be able to identify at least 3 strategies for working
with coparenting dyads where maternal gatekeeping is
problematic.
Early Intervention Best Practices
● Family Empowerment● Natural Environment● Routines-based
intervention● Family Coaching● Strength-based approach
Dads & Early InterventionPositive Developmental Outcomes
Participation in Interventions
Provider Challenges
Helps Moms
Differential needs of fathers
Defining Maternal GatekeepingCoparenting
Maternal Gatekeeping
History of MGK
Definition “A set of complex behavioral interactions between parents, where mothers influence father involvement through their use of controlling, facilitative, and restrictive behaviors directed at father’s childrearing and interaction with children on a regular and consistent basis.” (Puhlman & Pasley, 2013, p. 177)
Dimensions of Maternal Gatekeeping
C
E
D
Polarized GatekeepersLet’s start with the “more clear” families
Traditional GateblockerHigh C, Low E, High D
Passive GatewelcomerLow C, High E, Low D
Facilitative GateopenerHigh C, High E, Low D
Passive GatesnubberLow C, Low E, High D
Ambivalent GatekeepersNow the “more confusing” families
Opinionated GateWatcherLow C, High E, High D
Apathetic GateManagerHigh C, Low E, Low D
Confused GateManagerHigh C, High E, High D
Invisible GateIgnorerLow C, Low E, Low D
C= Control, E= Encouragement, D= Discouragement
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