Zolotor, A. J., Theodore, A. D., Runyan, D. K., Chang, J. J., & Laskey, A. L. (2011). Corporal punishment and physical abuse: population-based trends for three-to-11-year-old children in the United States. Child Abuse Review, 20(1), 57-66;
Durrant, J. & Ensom, R. (2012). Physical punishment of children: lessons from 20 years of research. Canadian Medical Association Journal Early release, published at www.cmaj.ca on February 6, 2012.
Analysis of results from four surveys using a standardized measure conducted between 1975 and 2002 in the Unites States (three national samples, and one conducted across the Carolina states) shows a moderate decrease in parent-reported use of spanking and slapping. Across all four surveys rates of spanking or slapping dropped most rapidly for six to eight year olds, from 80% in 1975 to 60% in 2002, while remaining high for children in the three to five year old range (over 80%). While the authors note that the decline in self-reported rates of spanking or slapping may reflect the beginning in an encouraging trend, they note, however, that nearly a third of parents reported using an object to hit and discipline their children.
A review of 20 years of research on the effects of physical punishment on children published in the Canadian Medical Association’s Journal raises concerns about negative long-term developmental outcomes as well as increased risk of physical abuse. The authors also draw attention to evidence of the efficacy of programs that teach non-violent approaches where parents are taught communicate clearly and apply contingent consequences. In light of these findings, the authors encourage physicians to promote non-violent approaches to discipline and raise concern about Section 43 from the Criminal Code, which provides legal justification for the use of physical punishment, and undermines public education efforts to promote positive parenting.
Three of the four studies reviewed by Zolotor et al. were telephone surveys, while the 1975 study was based on a face-to-face household survey. Sample sizes ranged from 1,000 to 3,360 randomly selected parents. In all four surveys, the Conflict Tactics Scales or a modified version, the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales, was used. Changes to the question about hitting with an object limit comparability between the earlier and more recent surveys. Assessing the effect of social desirability on response rates is a challenge in interpreting the results of these self-report studies, however, even the results remain relevant even if they are partially measuring a shift in public attitudes.
While the Durrant and Ensom CMAJ analysis was not a systematic review, it presents a concise review of some of the key methodological challenges that physical punishment researchers have attempted to address, and provides a useful analysis of the Canadian practice and policy implications of these studies.