For parent-reported externalizing symptoms, SEM revealed support for the indirect association of SES with
follow-up externalizing symptoms via parent positive communication and externalizing symptoms at baseline.
For parent reported internalizing symptoms, there was a direct association between SES and follow-up internalizing
symptoms, but not an indirect effect via parent positivecommunication. Youth-reported symptoms were not associated
with SES nor with parent positive communication. Current findings extend prior research on adolescent
mental health in a diverse sample of urban youth seeking outpatient psychiatric care. These families may benefit
from interventions that directly target SES-related difficulties and parent positive communication.