Parent positive communication, including parents’ ability to provide clear
information and listen responsively to their teens, may be
associated with, but somewhat independent from, other
positive parenting behaviors such as warmth or nurturance,
which are typically studied in the family stress model.
Parent positive communication may be a protective factor
in the mental health of youth seeking treatment, and
communication skills are more tangible and teachable than
broader behaviors such as warmth. Hence, examining
parent communication has specific implications for treament, as parental communication skills can be targeted in
family-based interventions.