Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Father involvement consistently predicts positive developmental outcomes, yet few studies have examined its relationship with self-concept among adolescents from collectivist cultural backgrounds, and fewer still have used culturally grounded measures. This study examined the relationship between father involvement and self-concept among adolescents and investigated whether sex and age moderated this relationship.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 adolescents (62.9 % female; 63.6 % middle adolescents) at a state Islamic senior high school in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Indonesia, using a total sampling approach. Father involvement was measured using a culturally grounded instrument based on Malay customary paternal obligations, and self-concept was assessed using the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank-order correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, and moderation analysis.
Results
Father involvement was significantly and positively associated with self-concept (r
s
=0.533, ps
=0.571, ps
=0.094, p=0.103). Sex significantly moderated the father involvement-self-concept relationship (B = −0.236, p=0.013), with stronger effects observed among male adolescents. Age did not moderate this relationship (p=0.884).
Conclusions
Father involvement is a significant predictor of self-concept among adolescents, with sex-differentiated effects that may reflect gendered socialization processes. These findings highlight the value of culturally grounded measurement approaches in understanding paternal contributions to adolescent development.