The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6

Buse Onat Yıldırım; Ezgi Özkan; Pınar Algedik

The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6

Abstract

Aims: This study examined the relationship between maternal containment function and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6 years, with particular attention to the independent protective role of paternal involvement. Methods: The sample consisted of 386 mother–father dyads whose children were clinically referred to an outpatient child psychiatry clinic in İstanbul due to early emotional and behavioral distress. Child depressive symptoms were measured using the Child Depression Symptom Scale (CDSS), maternal containment was assessed using the Parental Containment Function Scale (PCFS), and paternal involvement was assessed using the Father Involvement Scale (FIS). Data were analyzed using non parametric tests, Spearman correlations (ρ), and bootstrapped mediation analyses. Results: Higher levels of maladaptive maternal containment (e.g., separation sensitivity, authoritarian–rigid parenting) demonstrated a significant positive association with increased depressive symptoms in children. In contrast, greater paternal involvement, particularly discretionary engagement and affection–closeness, was negatively associated with child depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses indicated that although paternal involvement contributed to lower depressive symptoms as an independent protective system, it did not significantly mediate the relationship between maternal containment and child depression. Conclusion: Maternal containment and paternal involvement operate as distinct, parallel family systems that contribute to early childhood emotional development. Interventions should address both the maternal containment function and the independent protective resource of father involvement.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no financial support for the conduct or publication of this research.

Ethical Statement

The study protocol has been approved by the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Halic University (Date:30.05.2023, Decision No.2023-146).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all participating families for their contribution to this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Buse Onat Yıldırım
0009-0006-7440-9732
Türkiye

Ezgi Özkan
0000-0002-6937-3257
Türkiye

Pınar Algedik ^*
0000-0002-9617-6224
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 15, 2026

Submission Date

April 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Onat Yıldırım, B., Özkan, E., & Algedik, P. (2026). The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(4), 710-716. https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA

AMA

1.Onat Yıldırım B, Özkan E, Algedik P. The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(4):710-716. https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA

Chicago

Onat Yıldırım, Buse, Ezgi Özkan, and Pınar Algedik. 2026. “The Independent Protective Role of Paternal Involvement in the Association Between Maternal Containment and Depressive Symptoms in Children Aged 3-6”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (4): 710-16. https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA.

EndNote

Onat Yıldırım B, Özkan E, Algedik P (August 1, 2026) The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 4 710–716.

IEEE

[1]B. Onat Yıldırım, E. Özkan, and P. Algedik, “The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 710–716, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA

ISNAD

Onat Yıldırım, Buse - Özkan, Ezgi - Algedik, Pınar. “The Independent Protective Role of Paternal Involvement in the Association Between Maternal Containment and Depressive Symptoms in Children Aged 3-6”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/4 (August 1, 2026): 710-716. https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA.

JAMA

1.Onat Yıldırım B, Özkan E, Algedik P. The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:710–716.

MLA

Onat Yıldırım, Buse, et al. “The Independent Protective Role of Paternal Involvement in the Association Between Maternal Containment and Depressive Symptoms in Children Aged 3-6”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 4, Aug. 2026, pp. 710-6, https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA.

Vancouver

1.Buse Onat Yıldırım, Ezgi Özkan, Pınar Algedik. The independent protective role of paternal involvement in the association between maternal containment and depressive symptoms in children aged 3-6. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;7(4):710-6. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA96KX83FA