Moderating Role of Religious and Ethnic Socialization in the Jamaican Context: Associations between Paternal Depression and Engagement with Preschoolers

Drawing on concepts within developmental psychopathology on risk and protective factors, this study examined the moderating role of religious and ethnic socialization in associations between paternal depressive symptoms and engagement with preschool-aged children in Jamaica. One hundred fifty-two fathers reported on their depressive symptoms, religious and ethnic socialization, and engagement in childcare, play, and literacy-based activities. Religious socialization moderated associations between depressive symptoms and engagement in childcare, play, and literacy-based activities. Ethnic socialization moderated associations between depressive symptoms and engagement in childcare and play. Findings are interpreted in terms of the potential role of religious and ethnic socialization in moderating the negative effects of paternal depressive symptoms on engagement with preschoolers.