Factors for Fathers and Mothers to Maintain their Commitments toward Children

This research examined how parents' investments in work and child-rearing, their distress and comparison level for alternatives influence commitment to maintain the relationship with their children. According to Rusbult's theory (Investment Model, 1983), commitment is predicted by a combination of satisfaction, investments, and poor prospects for alternative relationships. Five hundred and twenty-six employed fathers and 323 employed mothers, each with the youngest child less than thirteen years old, completed questionnaires about work and family, distress, child-rearing practices, and the parent-child relationships. Based on the theoretical model, I found (1) Parental investment was a more significant predictor of parents' commitment to maintain the relationship with their children than was work investment. (2) Parents' distress was a strong predictor of commitment to maintain the relationship with their children. (3) A strong commitment was predicted by poor alternatives, but the parents considered that child-rearing would promote their work. These findings clearly suggest that Rusbult's theory can contribute to better understand work and parenting issues.