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Rueda HA, Ward KP, Hoffman S. Parent Physical and Psychological Aggression and Youth Dating Violence: A Latent Class Analysis Approach. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024; 39:2460-2486. [PMID: 38149627 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231218224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent dating violence is a national public health issue and research suggests that aggressive parenting may predict the likelihood that a child will subsequently experience abuse. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of parent physical and psychological aggression on adolescent dating violence perpetration and victimization. Data derived from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study resulted in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adolescents in dating relationships at the age of 15 years (N = 952). Utilizing both parent and adolescent data which assessed parenting practices at ages 3, 5, 9, and 15, and adolescent dating violence victimization and perpetration at age 15, we analyzed the data using a latest class analysis. Youth were typologized into three classes: the non-physically aggressive parenting, nonaggressive dating class (Class 1; 16% of youth), the aggressive parenting, nonaggressive dating class (Class 2; 76% of youth), and the aggressive parenting, aggressive dating class (Class 3; 8% of youth). Parents across all three classes utilized high levels of psychologically aggressive parenting. An important finding from this study is that parents' use of both physically and psychologically aggressive parenting only predicted subsequent dating violence victimization and perpetration among a small portion of adolescents. Findings suggest that additional risk factors, including household income and adolescent impulsivity, may help to elucidate pathways to adolescent dating violence. There is also a need to further explore the resiliency factors at play for youth who, despite having experienced both psychologically and physically aggressive parenting across the lifespan, did not experience dating violence victimization or perpetration.
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Cuartas J, Salazar A, Backhaus S, Little MT, McCoy D, Yoshikawa H, Bass M, Metheny N, Knaul F. Strategies to Prevent Violence Against Children in the Home: A Systematic Review of Reviews. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024:15248380241247018. [PMID: 38682572 DOI: 10.1177/15248380241247018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Violence against children (VAC) in the home, or by household members, is a human rights and social problem with long-lasting consequences for individuals and society. Global policy instruments like the INSPIRE package have proposed strategies to prevent VAC, including Implementation and enforcement of laws, Norms and values, Safe environments, Parent and caregiver support, Income and economic strengthening, Response and support services, and Education and life skills. This systematic review of reviews aimed to synthesize the recent evidence base (i.e., published since 2000) for each INSPIRE strategy to reduce VAC in the home or by household members. We searched four databases using controlled vocabularies and keywords and searched for additional records in prior reviews of reviews. A total of 67 studies were included in this review, including literature reviews, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and other types of reviews. We found extensive evidence supporting the effectiveness of parent and caregiver support interventions. However, reviews on other INSPIRE strategies were scarce. We also found a vast underrepresentation of samples from low- and- middle-income countries, children with disabilities, and families affected by forced displacement and conflict. In sum, this systematic review suggests that there are several promising strategies to prevent VAC (e.g., home visiting and parent education), but further research is necessary to strengthen the current body of evidence and effectively inform the implementation and scale-up of evidence-based interventions to protect children from violence globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cuartas
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Sophia Backhaus
- University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dana McCoy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Illachura VC, Montesinos-Malpartida MI, Bellido-Boza L, Puyén ZM, Blitchtein-Winicki D. Physical punishment and effective verbal communication in children aged 9-36 months, according to sex: secondary analysis of a national survey. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:134. [PMID: 38378501 PMCID: PMC10877749 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04606-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial number of children in the world are regularly subjected to physical punishment by their parents as a method of upbringing. Evidence suggests that it has negative effects on the development of brain function. However, evidence regarding its association with verbal communication is limited and heterogeneous. It is also unknown whether the effects are the same in both boys and girls; especially in the contexts of developing countries, where the highest rates of physical punishment are found. OBJECTIVE This investigation aimed at analyzing the association between physical punishment administered by both fathers and mothers and effective verbal communication among children aged 9-36 months according to sex. METHODS A secondary analytical cross-sectional study was conducted based on the 2018-2019 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey. Physical punishment, based on the mother's report of the use of hitting and/or slapping, was considered as a method to correct children by the father and/or mother. Effective verbal communication (EVC) was measured using the Battle scale which consists of age-appropriate questions included in the early childhood development module. A generalized linear model of the family and Log Poisson link option was used to identify the association between them, using the crude, general adjusted, and sex-stratified models. RESULTS Of all the children, 16.31% received physical punishment from their father and/or mother, wherein 16.65% were boys and 15.97% were girls. Moreover, 36.48% exhibited EVC, wherein 32.55% were boys and 40.50% were girls. Adjusting for socioeconomic level, witnessing violence, mother's marital status, age, occupation, education level, language, number of children, and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, it was found that boys who received physical punishment from their father and/or mother have a 31% lower probability of EVC (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.83, p < 0.001), whereas no association was found in girls who received physical punishment from their father and/or mother and EVC (aPR 0.93, 95% CI 0.81-1.06, p = 0.278). CONCLUSIONS An association was found between physical punishment administered by father and/or mother and reduced EVC among boys, whereas no such association was found among girls. It is possible that even though a significant impact has not been observed in girls during this early stage, they may experience consequences in later stages of life, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Chire Illachura
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Alameda San Marcos 11, Chorrillos, 15067, Lima, Perú
| | - Maria Inés Montesinos-Malpartida
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Alameda San Marcos 11, Chorrillos, 15067, Lima, Perú
| | - Luciana Bellido-Boza
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Alameda San Marcos 11, Chorrillos, 15067, Lima, Perú
| | - Zully M Puyén
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Alameda San Marcos 11, Chorrillos, 15067, Lima, Perú
| | - Dora Blitchtein-Winicki
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Alameda San Marcos 11, Chorrillos, 15067, Lima, Perú.
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Cuartas J, Bhatia A, Carter D, Cluver L, Coll C, Donger E, Draper CE, Gardner F, Herbert B, Kelly O, Lachman J, M'jid NM, Seidel F. Climate change is a threat multiplier for violence against children. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023:106430. [PMID: 37648573 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The climate crisis is the biggest threat to the health, development, and wellbeing of the current and future generations. While there is extensive evidence on the direct impacts of climate change on human livelihood, there is little evidence on how children and young people are affected, and even less discussion and evidence on how the climate crisis could affect violence against children. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING In this commentary, we review selected research to assess the links between the climate crisis and violence against children. METHODS We employ a social-ecological perspective as an overarching framework to organize findings from the literature and call attention to increased violence against children as a specific, yet under-examined, direct and indirect consequence of the climate crisis. RESULTS Using such a perspective, we examine how the climate crisis exacerbates the risk of violence against children at the continually intersecting and interacting levels of society, community, family, and the individual levels. We propose increased risk of armed conflict, forced displacement, poverty, income inequality, disruptions in critical health and social services, and mental health problems as key mechanisms linking the climate crisis and heightened risk of violence against children. Furthermore, we posit that the climate crisis serves as a threat multiplier, compounding existing vulnerabilities and inequities within populations and having harsher consequences in settings, communities, households, and for children already experiencing adversities. CONCLUSIONS We conclude with a call for urgent efforts from researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to further investigate the specific empirical links between the climate crisis and violence against children and to design, test, implement, fund, and scale evidence-based, rights-based, and child friendly prevention, support, and response strategies to address violence against children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cuartas
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, USA; Centro de Estudios sobre Seguridad y Drogas (CESED), Universidad de los Andes, Colombia.
| | - Amiya Bhatia
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Daniel Carter
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, UK; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carolina Coll
- Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Donger
- New York University School of Law, Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, USA
| | - Catherine E Draper
- SAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Frances Gardner
- Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, Department of Social Policy & Intervention, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Bess Herbert
- Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, USA
| | - Orla Kelly
- UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie Lachman
- Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, Department of Social Policy & Intervention, University of Oxford, UK; Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Najat Maalla M'jid
- United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, USA
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Wadji DL, Oe M, Cheng P, Bartoli E, Martin-Soelch C, Pfaltz MC, Langevin R. Associations between experiences of childhood maltreatment and perceived acceptability of child maltreatment: A cross-cultural and exploratory study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 143:106270. [PMID: 37301113 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acceptable parental behaviors and practices toward a child vary across countries and may impact the risk of exposure to maltreatment. Conversely, prior experiences of maltreatment as a child may influence the acceptability of child maltreatment (CM) behaviors. OBJECTIVE This exploratory study examined the association between CM experiences and perceived acceptability of CM using data from four countries representing different cultures, living standards, and gross national income. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING We recruited a convenience sample of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122) through online postings on social media. METHODS We administered questionnaires and conducted a three-stage hierarchical multiple regression with perceived acceptability of CM subscales as the dependent variable. RESULTS In all countries, higher scores of childhood neglect were associated with greater perceived acceptability of neglect in one's community (p < .001). Equally, our results showed that higher scores of childhood neglect or sexual abuse were associated with greater perceived acceptability of sexual abuse (p < .044). However, we did not find a significant relationship between other forms of CM (i.e., physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, exposure to domestic violence), and their perceived acceptability. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that experiences of some CM types, namely neglect and sexual abuse, may be associated with the perception that these are more acceptable within one's community. Perceived acceptability of CM might be a driver that can either prevent or perpetuate CM. Therefore, intervention and prevention programs could incorporate a deeper cross-cultural understanding and assessment of these social norms in order to foster meaningful behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dany Laure Wadji
- Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Misari Oe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Polly Cheng
- Department of Psychology and Sport Sciences of the Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eleonora Bartoli
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Canada
| | | | - Monique C Pfaltz
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Rachel Langevin
- Department of Psychology and Sport Sciences of the Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany.
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Ma J, Han Y. Heterogeneous effects of spanking on child protective services involvement in early childhood: A propensity score stratification analysis. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2023; 148:106901. [PMID: 38031582 PMCID: PMC10686574 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Extant literature has primarily employed linear models to estimate the average effect of spanking on children. Less is known about child and parent characteristics that may predict differential risks of children's exposure to spanking (i.e., pre-treatment heterogeneity) and the effect of spanking on child outcomes that may differ by the propensity for spanking (i.e., post-treatment heterogeneity). Objective The present study examines pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between maternal spanking at child age 3 and subsequent household Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement that were reported by mothers between child ages 3 to 5. Methods The sample consisted of 2,422 families from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study that oversampled children born to unmarried families. A propensity score stratification analysis procedure examined pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between spanking and subsequent household CPS involvement. Children were stratified into three strata depending on their propensity for experiencing spanking. Subsequently, the association between spanking and household CPS involvement was examined for each stratum. Results Disadvantaged socio-economic characteristics, negative psychosocial conditions of the mother, and dysregulated temperament of the child were associated with elevated risk of spanking. The odds of subsequent household CPS involvement increased by 2.4 times (β = 0.869, p <.01) for children in the stratum with the lowest propensity for experiencing spanking. Conclusions Results emphasize the importance of promoting alternative disciplinary strategies to families who would be considered low-risk before they may come into contact with the child welfare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ma
- University of Michigan-Flint, USA
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Bott S, Ruiz-Celis AP, Mendoza JA, Guedes A. Correlates of co-occurring physical child punishment and physical intimate partner violence in Colombia, Mexico and Peru. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2195. [PMCID: PMC9702951 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14453-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Violent discipline of children and intimate partner violence (IPV) against women are global public health and human rights problems. To address calls for more evidence on intersections, this study aimed to expand knowledge about correlates of physical child punishment, physical IPV against women and their co-occurrence (both) in the same household.
Methods
Using national, population-based survey datasets from Colombia, Mexico and Peru, multinomial logistic regressions examined correlates of three mutually exclusive patterns of violence in the household: physical child punishment (only), physical IPV ever (only) and co-occurrence (both), each compared with no violence, after adjusting for other factors. Logistic regression was used to analyse odds ratios of physical child punishment in households affected by IPV past year and before past year compared with never, after adjusting for other factors.
Results
In all countries, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of co-occurrence were significantly higher among women with lower education, more than one child, a child aged 2–5, a partner who tried to socially isolate her, and a history of childhood violence (caregiver violence and/or IPV exposure). They were significantly lower among women who reported collaborative partnerships (joint decision-making and/or shared chores). Co-occurrence was also significantly correlated with a history of child marriage/early motherhood in Colombia and Mexico, partner’s excess drinking in Mexico and Peru, agreement that physical child punishment was necessary in Peru and partner’s history of childhood violence in Colombia and Mexico. Evidence of shared risk factors was strongest for social isolation and caregiver histories of childhood violence and of shared protective factors for collaborative partnership dynamics. In all countries, associations between physical child punishment and physical IPV remained significant after adjusting for other factors, suggesting that correlations could not be explained by shared risk factors alone.
Conclusions
These findings are consistent with several theories relevant for violence prevention: 1) more collaborative, gender equitable partnerships may protect both children and women from violence; 2) violence between intimate partners may ‘spill over’ into violence against children (as correlations could not be explained by shared risk factors alone); and 3) there appears to be strong evidence of intergenerational transmission of violence.
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Ma J, Grogan-Kaylor AC, Lee SJ, Ward KP, Pace GT. Gender Inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Associations with Parental Physical Abuse and Moderation by Child Gender. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11928. [PMID: 36231226 PMCID: PMC9565581 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Gender inequality perpetuates women's economic insecurity and a culture of violence. Parental distress caused by economic pressure may increase violence against children. High levels of gender inequality and interpersonal violence may contribute to higher levels of physical abuse. Using an ecological perspective, this study examines the association of country-level gender inequality and household-level parental physical abuse, and the moderating role of child gender in this association in low- and middle-income countries. We used data on over 420,000 households from the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and country-level indicators from the United Nations Development Program Human Development data. We employed multilevel logistic regression to examine the association between gender inequality with the log-odds of physical abuse after accounting for country- and individual-level covariates. In order to more fully explore our results, we calculated predicted probabilities of abuse for several scenarios. The results indicated that higher levels of gender inequality were associated with higher probabilities of physical abuse. This association was stronger for female children than for male children. The probabilities of abuse by child gender were indistinguishable, although rates of physical abuse converged as gender inequality increased, at a statistically marginal level. These findings indicate that macro-level interventions that reduce gender inequality are necessary to prevent and reduce child physical abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ma
- Department of Social Work, University of Michigan-Flint, 303 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48502, USA
| | - Andrew C. Grogan-Kaylor
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shawna J. Lee
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kaitlin P. Ward
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Garrett T. Pace
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Cuartas J, Baker-Henningham H, Cepeda A, Rey-Guerra C. The Apapacho Violence Prevention Parenting Program: Conceptual Foundations and Pathways to Scale. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148582. [PMID: 35886432 PMCID: PMC9325014 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Violence against children (VAC) is a major global issue with long-lasting negative consequences on individuals and societies. The present study presents a review of the literature on drivers of VAC and the core components of evidence-based violence prevention programs. Moreover, it analyzes the existing services and social infrastructure in Colombia to rigorously inform the design of the Apapacho violence prevention parenting program for families with children younger than five targeted toward Colombia. Findings indicate that (1) VAC in Colombia is a multidimensional issue with roots at the individual, family, community, and society levels, (2) evidence-based violence prevention programs share a common set of content and delivery strategies that could inform the components of the Apapacho program, and (3) there is an urgent need for scalable and flexible violence prevention programs for families with young children in Colombia. Considering existing evidence, the Apapacho violence prevention parenting program will be designed using ecological, developmental, and neuroscience-informed perspectives. This article concludes by presenting the initial components of the theory of change and discussing future directions for the design of the Apapacho program and other violence prevention interventions in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cuartas
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
- Correspondence:
| | - Helen Baker-Henningham
- School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2DG, UK;
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Kingston BB11000, Jamaica
| | - Andrés Cepeda
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Catalina Rey-Guerra
- Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, Chesnut Hill, MA 02467, USA;
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Ma J, Grogan-Kaylor AC, Pace GT, Ward KP, Lee SJ. The association between spanking and physical abuse of young children in 56 low- and middle-income countries. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 129:105662. [PMID: 35613531 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nearly one third of children under five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience spanking. Studies from North America suggest that spanking is associated with heightened risk of physical abuse. However, the link between spanking and physical abuse in the international context remains understudied. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between caregivers' spanking and physical abuse of young children in LMICs, and to estimate the extent to which physical abuse might be reduced if spanking were eliminated. PARTICIPANTS We used nationally representative data from 156,166 1- to 4-year-old children in 56 LMICs from the fourth and fifth rounds of UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. METHODS A nationally weighted multilevel logistic regression model examined the association between spanking and physical abuse. We calculated predicted probabilities of physical abuse, which we present using natural frequencies. RESULTS Spanking was associated with higher odds of physical abuse (OR = 5.74, p < .001). The predicted probability of physical abuse decreased by 14% comparing children who were spanked (22%) and who were not spanked (8%). When our estimates were translated to a hypothetical sample of 100 children using a natural frequency approach, 32 children were spanked; of those, seven experienced physical abuse. The elimination of spanking would result in four fewer children who were exposed to physical abuse. In relation to the population of abused children, estimates suggest that physical abuse could reduce by up to 33% if spanking were eliminated. CONCLUSIONS Results support the UN Sustainable Development Goals Target 16.2 that calls for eliminating all forms of violence against children. Child welfare advocates should discourage caregivers from using spanking, in order to prevent physical abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ma
- University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI, United States.
| | | | | | | | - Shawna J Lee
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Ward KP, Lee SJ, Grogan-Kaylor AC, Ma J, Pace GT. Patterns of caregiver aggressive and nonaggressive discipline toward young children in low- and middle-income countries: A latent class approach. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 128:105606. [PMID: 35349948 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers use a variety of disciplinary methods to respond to undesired child behavior. Many caregivers use nonaggressive forms of discipline, such as verbal reasoning and redirection. Some caregivers use aggressive forms of discipline, such as spanking and yelling. However, most caregivers use a combination of aggressive and nonaggressive discipline. To date, a disproportionately small number of caregiver discipline studies are conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and few studies in low-resource contexts examine aggressive and nonaggressive behaviors simultaneously. OBJECTIVE This study aims to elucidate caregiver patterns of 11 disciplinary behaviors used in LMICs, and examine how these patterns relate to child outcomes and household characteristics. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Data came from the fourth and fifth rounds of UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) distributed between 2009 and 2017 (N = 218,824 respondents across 63 countries). Focal children were 3-4 years old. METHODS Patterns of disciplinary behaviors were estimated using a multilevel latent class analysis (LCA). Multinomial regression analyses examined associations of disciplinary patterns with caregiver-reported child outcomes and household characteristics. RESULTS The LCA suggested caregiver discipline fell into three overall patterns: high behavioral control, moderate behavior control, and lower behavioral control. The lower behavioral control class was associated with the most advantageous child outcomes and household socio-demographic characteristics, whereas the high behavioral control class was associated with the most disadvantageous child outcomes and household characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Efforts should be employed to reduce aggressive behaviors and promote positive parenting among caregivers in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin P Ward
- University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Shawna J Lee
- University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Andrew C Grogan-Kaylor
- University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Julie Ma
- University of Michigan-Flint, Department of Social Work, 303 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48502, USA.
| | - Garrett T Pace
- University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Associations between spanking beliefs and reported spanking among adolescents-parent/caregiver dyads in a Canadian sample. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:493. [PMID: 35279124 PMCID: PMC8918334 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12856-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research consistently demonstrates that physical punishment of children including “spanking” is harmful. Interest in effective prevention is growing rapidly. The aim of the current study is to examine spanking beliefs among adolescents and parents in relation to reports of spanking that the adolescents experienced before 11 years of age. Methods Data were drawn from Wave 1 of a study conducted in 2017–2018 that included adolescents (14–17 years old) and one of their parents/caregivers from Manitoba, Canada (n = 1000 pairs). The study objectives were to examine: 1) spanking beliefs of adolescents and their parents; 2) the correlation between parent and adolescent spanking beliefs; 3) whether parents perceive the words “spank” vs. “hit” differently using intraclass correlation; 4) the association between parents’ beliefs about spanking and parent- and adolescent-reported use of it; and 5) the relationship between sociodemographic variables and spanking. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, intraclass correlation, and binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results The prevalence of adolescent-reported and parents’-reported spanking were 46.0% and 39.6%, respectively. The proportions agreeing that spanking is a normal part of parenting were similar among adolescents (22.0%) and parents (18.5%), and were moderately correlated (intraclass correlation = 0.38, SE = 0.038). More than five times as many parents believed that “spanking” is necessary (19.5%) than believed that “hitting” is necessary (3.5%). Parents’ positive spanking beliefs were associated with increased likelihood of adolescent- and parent-reported spanking. Few significant associations were found between sociodemographic variables and parent-reported or adolescent-reported spanking. Conclusions Adolescents’ spanking beliefs are related to their parents’ spanking beliefs, suggesting that they are transmitted across generations. Public education and law reform are needed to decrease the normalization and perceived necessity of spanking in child-rearing. Efforts should include improving the understanding that spanking is a form of violence against children. With only a few significant differences noted between sociodemographic variables and parent- and adolescent- reported spanking and the prevalent use of spanking across all sociodemographic variable categories, it may be useful to develop universal approaches to awareness-raising and implementation of education strategies in Canada.
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