The moderating role of father involvement in the association between maternal depression and child nutrition: A cross-sectional study in rural Malawi.

ABSTRACT: This study highlights the critical role of fathers in improving child dietary diversity in low-resource setting, particularly in the context of maternal mental health challenges. Using cross-sectional data of 333 mother-father-child triads in rural Malawi, we examine the association between paternal involvement and child dietary diversity among children aged between 24-60 months. Our findings show that greater father involvement is significantly associated with higher child dietary diversity scores, even after accounting for maternal depressive symptoms. Importantly, we identify a significant interaction between father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms: paternal engagement buffer the negative effects of maternal mental health challenges on children's diets. However, father invol

SUBMITTER: Choi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12677494 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature