Effects of Positive Parenting on Mental Health in Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

There is a notable overlap and co-occurrence of mental health and learning challenges in adolescence. 'Existing research highlights associations between learning disabilities and mental health problems; however, limited research explores additional variables, such as familial influences. Using a developmental relational systems framework, this research advances understandings of the influences of positive parenting on adolescents with learning disabilities. Secondary data analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth was used to explore direct and indirect effects of parental depression, family functioning, parental nurturing and monitoring behaviours, adolescent social and emotional competencies on adolescent mental health. Adolescent social and emotional competencies and parental monitoring were strong significant mediators in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among youth with learning disabilities. Theoretical and practical implications related to ecological resilience and positive parenting are explored. Keywords: mental health problems, adolescents, learning disabilities, parenting, path analyses