Psychological involvement in parenthood among Ukrainians

In a sample of 100 parents in Ukraine, the authors examined variables that affect the extent of psychological engagement in the role of parenthood. The participants completed questionnaires about their beliefs and expectations as parents. As predicted by the triangle model of responsibility (B. R. Schlenker, 1997; B. R. Schlenker, T. W. Britt, J. W. Pennington, R. Murphy, & K. J. Doherty, 1994), 3 variables significantly predicted psychological engagement: task clarity (i.e., a clear understanding of the duties of a parent), personal obligation (i.e., the duty to follow prescriptions for being a good parent), and personal control (i.e., personal control over aspects of child rearing). In addition, task clarity and personal obligation predicted the participants' expectations of the quality of their children's futures; however, personal control did not, perhaps because of contemporaneous economic and political instability in Ukraine.