When Fathers Are Absent: Substitute Father Involvement and Emotion Regulation Among Emerging Adults

Ery Fauzan; Christina Claudia

doi:10.24156/jikk.2026.19.2.112

Authors

Ery Fauzan Fakultas Psikologi, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M.H Thamrin Boulevard Lippo Village, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia; RELASI Research Lab, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M. H. Thamrin Boulevard 1100, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia Author
Christina Claudia Fakultas Psikologi, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M.H Thamrin Boulevard Lippo Village, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia; RELASI Research Lab, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M. H. Thamrin Boulevard 1100, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0307-4096

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24156/jikk.2026.19.2.112

Keywords:

cognitive reappraisal, emerging adulthood, emotion regulation, father absence, substitute father involvement

Abstract

Father absence remains a significant issue in Indonesia, with roughly one in five children growing up without a biological father, but whether substitute male caregivers can compensate for that absence remains an underexplored question. This study examined whether involvement from substitute father figures (e.g., grandfathers and stepfathers) predicts emotion regulation strategies among emerging adults who experienced biological father absence before age 12. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, involving 100 participants aged 18–25 years who were recruited through purposive sampling. Participants completed a modified Father Involvement Scale (FIS) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Simple linear regression analyses showed that higher substitute father involvement significantly predicted greater use of cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.34, p < 0.001, R² = 0.12) and lower use of expressive suppression (β = −0.25, p = 0.01, R² = 0.06). These findings indicate that consistent involvement from substitute father figures is linked to more adaptive emotion regulation among father-absent emerging adults. The study emphasizes that substitute male caregivers may play an important role in fostering healthy emotional functioning in emerging adulthood among individuals who experience father absence.

Author Biography

Christina Claudia, Fakultas Psikologi, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M.H Thamrin Boulevard Lippo Village, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia; RELASI Research Lab, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jl. M. H. Thamrin Boulevard 1100, Tangerang, Banten 15811, Indonesia

Lecturer, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Pelita Harapan

Associate Researcher, RELASI Research Lab, Universitas Pelita Harapan

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