The Role of Emotional Competence as a Mediator between Father Involvement and Fear of Relationship Commitment

Abstract

Early adulthood is a crucial phase marked by the demands of building intimate and committed relationships. However, an increasing number of individuals at this stage experience fear of relationship commitment, a fear of long-term relationships characterized by anxiety about emotional closeness, loss of autonomy, and relationship uncertainty. This condition impacts the quality of interpersonal relationships and decreases psychological well-being, emotional stability, and family well-being. This study aims to examine the mediating role of emotional competence in the relationship between father involvement and fear of relationship commitment in emerging adulthood. This correlational study design with 397 participants aged 20–24 years (M = 22.04; SD = 1.070), recruited through accidental sampling. Data were collected using the Inventory of Father Involvement (IFI), Short Profile of Emotional Competence (SPEC), and Fear of Relationship Commitment Scale (LFRC). Data analysis was conducted using mediation analysis PROCESS Hayes model 4 software, SPSS version 25. The results showed that father involvement was negatively associated with fear of relationship commitment (r = -0.638, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that emotional competence partially mediated the relationship between father involvement and fear of relationship commitment (β = -0.155; 95% CI [-0.228, -0.096]). These findings highlight the importance of father involvement in enhancing emotional competence and reducing fear of commitment.