Buffering effect of parental engagement on the relationship between corporal punishment and children's emotional/behavioral problems

Pediatr Int. 2015 Jun;57(3):385-92. doi: 10.1111/ped.12604.

Abstract

Background: Previous research has established links between corporal punishment and children's developmental problems, but few studies have investigated the moderating effect of positive parenting between corporal punishment and children's developmental difficulties in detail. This study investigated the buffering effect of parental engagement on the association between corporal punishment and children's emotional/behavioral problems.

Methods: The main caregivers completed the Evaluation of Environmental Stimulation Scale (EES), which is an evaluation of daily parenting behaviors, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which evaluates children's developmental problems.

Results: Corporal punishment was associated with worse emotional and behavioral problems in children, whereas parental engagement in games or sports was associated with fewer emotional symptoms. Similarly, parental engagement in homework or housework significantly moderated the association between corporal punishment and children's behavioral problems.

Conclusions: Parental engagement positively moderated the association between parental corporal punishment and children's developmental difficulties. This association varied with child gender.

Keywords: child; corporal punishment; emotional and behavioral problem; parenting.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Problem Behavior / psychology*
  • Punishment / psychology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires