Canadian researchers report results of a
study in which they found that harsh physical punishment, even in the
absence of child maltreatment, is associated with mood disorders,
anxiety disorders, substance abuse/dependence, and personality disorders
when those children become young adults.
They examined data from the National
Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions collected in 2004
and 2005, a survey conducted with a representative U.S. adult
population sample aged 20 or older (n=34,653).
After adjusting for sociodemo-graphic
variables and family history of dysfunction, they found that
approximately 2 percent to 5 percent of Axis I disorders and 4 percent
to 7 percent of Axis II disorders were attributable to receiving harsh
physical punishment.
“It is important for pediatricians and other
health care providers who work with children and parents to be aware of
the link between physical punishment and mental disorders based on this
study, which adds to the growing literature about the adverse outcomes
associated with exposure to physical punishment,” the researchers wrote.
Afifi T, Mota N, Dasiewicz P, et
al. “Physical Punishment and Mental Disorders: Results From a
Nationally Representative U.S. Sample.” Pediatrics. 2012. July 2 [Epub
ahead of print]. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/06/27/peds.2011-2947
Editor's note: I still hear comments made by people frequently that the behavioral problems of children in the United States is due to the CPS system that interferes with a parent's right to physical hit their children. There is a comment belief at least in my community of Brockport, NY that physical punishment is not only called for but beneficial to children. There is no research evidence that I know of that supports this folk belief. Most of the research shows just the opposite, that physical punishment not only doesn't work, but contributes often times to significant problems both in the child's current life but also later on as an adult.
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