Positive parenting and its mediating role in the relationship between parental resilience and quality of life in children with developmental disabilities in Java Island, Indonesia

•A positive perception of parenting is the essential aspect of parental resilience.•Positive parenting mediated the impact of positive perception on quality of life.•Culture determined positive perception of parenting. Developmental disabilities exert severe physical, cognitive and social-emotional consequences, such as low quality of life, not only on children but also on their families. However, the extent of the effect of such consequences on quality of life is partially dependent on how parents address the situation. The study aimed to examine whether positive parenting mediates the link between parental resilience and quality of life of children with a developmental disability in Indonesia. Data were derived from a three-wave longitudinal study on 497, 224 and 209 families in waves one, two and three, respectively. The study determined parental resilience by assessing the knowledge of parents about the characteristics of their child, perceived social support and positive perception of parenting. Quality of life consisted of five aspects: material well-being, communication and influence, socio-emotional well-being, development and activity. Positive parenting was assessed through observed levels of support, encouragement and praise. The results demonstrated that positive parenting mediated the impact of positive perception of parenting on quality of life. This finding implies that positive perception and positive parenting should be encouraged when families with children with developmental disabilities receive care or support.