The Role of Maternal Variables in Predicting Maternal Gatekeeping Performance in Mothers of Iranian Children Aged 2 to 5 Years

.This descriptive-correlational study aimed to identify the predominant type of maternal gatekeeping and examine its relationship with marital satisfaction, employment status, age, and education level.

Methods: A sample of 386 mothers, recruited through social media platforms, completed the Maternal Gatekeeping Questionnaire (MGK-P) and ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and one-way ANOVA.

Results: Results revealed that the dominant type of maternal gatekeeping in iran was "Traditional gate blockers." Marital satisfaction showed significant correlations with all gatekeeping dimensions: positive with encouragement (r=0.517, p<0.01) and negative with discouragement (r=-0.341, p<0.01) and control (r=-0.168, p<0.01). Maternal age correlated positively only with the discouragement dimension (r=0.114, p<0.05). Child gender significantly influenced the control dimension (p=0.007), with mothers exerting more control over sons. Employment status and education level showed no significant relationships with gatekeeping dimensions.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that marital satisfaction is the strongest predictor of maternal gatekeeping behaviors in Iranian mothers. The prevalence of the "Traditional gate blocker" pattern highlights the influence of cultural factors and gender expectations on maternal roles in Iranian society. This study contributes to understanding maternal gatekeeping dynamics in Iran and informs the development of culturally sensitive family interventions.