Social mediators of relationships between childhood reading difficulties, behaviour problems, and secondary school noncompletion

Abstract

Background: Childhood reading difficulties (RDs) and behaviour problems (BPs) are well-established predictors of secondary school noncompletion. However, few studies have examined the risk of secondary school noncompletion for children with differing combinations of the two childhood problems. Even less is known about potential mediators of relationships between the two childhood problems and secondary school noncompletion. Aims: This study examined whether key indicators of social connectedness—adolescent school engagement, and family and peer attachment—mediated relationships between childhood RDs and BPs and secondary school noncompletion. Sample: Data were drawn from the Australian Tempe..