Paternal parenting and depressive symptoms among adolescents: A moderated mediation model of deviant peer affiliation and school climate

Abstract As fathers become more involved in parenting, more attention has been paid to the association between paternal parenting and adolescent depression. Based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and attachment theory, we explored the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation and the moderating role of school climate in the relation between paternal parenting and depression. A total of 1177 Chinese adolescents were assessed with the questionnaires regarding parenting, depression, deviant peer affiliation and school climate. After controlling for maternal parenting, paternal parenting was negatively associated with depression. Deviant peer affiliation mediated the association between paternal parenting and depression. The association between deviant peer affiliation and depression was moderated by school climate, as the effect was stronger among adolescents with positive school climate than those with negative school climate. These findings may help to intervene and reduce adolescent depression.