Father involvement and depressive symptoms in Chinese rural children: Examining peer relationships as a mediator and only-child status as a moderator

Rural Chinese children have higher rates of depressive symptoms than urban children. This study explored the association between father involvement and depressive symptoms in rural Chinese children, focusing on the mediating role of peer relationships and the moderating role of only-child status. Utilizing data from 2,498 rural children across seven provinces in China. Regression analyses, mediation tests, and moderated mediation models were conducted. Regression analysis indicated that father involvement was positively correlated with peer relationships and negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Peer relationships were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis revealed that peer relationships significantly mediated the relationship between father involvement and depressive symptoms (beta = -0.017, 95% CI -0.022, -0.013). Moderation analysis indicated that father involvement influenced depressive symptoms through peer relationships, with significant indirect effects for both only children (beta = -0.025, 95% CI -0.039, -0.012) and children with siblings (beta = -0.016, 95% CI -0.021, -0.012). While the indirect effects appeared to vary between family structures, this difference was not statistically significant (beta = -0.009, 95% CI -0.023, 0.005). These findings suggest that father involvement and peer relationships may serve as important protective factors against depressive symptoms across different family structures in rural areas. This study reveals that paternal engagement significantly mitigates depressive symptoms among rural Chinese children through enhanced peer relationships, regardless of family structure. Analyzing data from 2,498 children across seven provinces, this study demonstrates father involvement's dual protective role: directly reducing emotional distress while fostering social connections that buffer against depression. Contrary to expectations, the only-child status did not differentially influence these dynamics, suggesting universal benefits of paternal investment in under-resourced rural communities. These findings challenge urban-centric mental health paradigms and highlight culturally responsive family interventions as critical for addressing China's rural-urban psychological divide.