The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between paternal depression and child externalizing behavior, focusing particularly on two significant variables: dysfunctional discipline practices and maternal gatekeeping. The mediating role of dysfunctional discipline, namely, lax parenting, and the moderating role of maternal gatekeeping were examined to gain a deeper insight into the complicated relationships between paternal depression and child externalizing behavior. In the proposed theoretical model, it was hypothesized that lax parenting would mediate the relationship between paternal depressive symptoms and child externalizing behavior. Furthermore, it was predicted that maternal gatekeeping would moderate the relationship between paternal depressive symptoms and the child's externalizing behavior mediated by lax parenting. In addition to testing the proposed model, the study also sought to investigate whether different measures of paternal depression influence the significance and strength of
effects within the suggested model. The study was conducted with 140 parent pairs whose children were between the ages of 6 and 11. The following measurements were used in the study: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Masculine Depression Scale (MDS), Trait Depression Scale (T-DEP), The Parenting Scale (TPS), Maternal Gatekeeping Scale-Mother Form (MGS-M), and Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS). The moderated mediation statistical model of Hayes (2013), Model 14, was performed to test the proposed model in the current study. The results of the study did not provide support for the proposed model. Nevertheless, the findings of the study emphasize the complicated nature of familial relationships and indicate potential paths for further study and theoretical reconsideration.