Corporal punishment, the theory of planned behavior, and changing intentions for future parenting techniques
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Positive and negative parenting and discipline techniques have been implicated in the child"s attachment style, psychosocial adjustment, and overall mental health.Specifically, a parent"s use of corporal punishment has been positively associated with childhood aggression and other antisocial behavior as well as an increase in truancy, animal cruelty, childhood drug use, and feeling of helplessness, humiliation, and anxiety.Despite the empirical literature indicating the increased incidence of numerous negative consequences, corporal punishment continues to be an accepted and popular form of discipline used by parents in the United States.Recently, many national organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have denounced the use of corporal punishment and strongly suggest the implementation of alternative means of discipline.However, it is unclear how many future parents intend to implement corporal punishment as a form of discipline.According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, one"s intention to engage in a certain behavior is affected by the person"s behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and perceived behavioral control.In addition, research illustrates that the most effective means of changing the intention to engage in the target behavior is to address all three of the aforementioned components.The purpose of the current study is two-fold.First, the current study empirically describes the forms of discipline that future parents intend to use with their children.suggest that nearly half (44.8%) of future parents plan on engaging in some form of corporal punishment of their children while 17.2% reported that they plan on engaging in some form corporal punishment of their infant.Secondly, the current study empirically evaluates the effectiveness of the "Considering Spanking" DVD developed by Michele Knox, Ph.D. and her colleagues in changing beliefs and intentions of parents to engage in the use of corporal punishment.The DVD addresses the behavioral, normative and perceived behavioral control beliefs surrounding the use of corporal punishment and alternatives to corporal punishment including time-out and rewarding positive behavior.Results indicate that after viewing the "Considering Spanking" DVD participants" favorable normative beliefs, favorable behavioral beliefs, and intentions regarding the use of corporal punishment as a disciplinary technique are significantly lower than their normative beliefs were prior to viewing the DVD.
Author: Jason Brouwer
Institution: University of Toledo
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W148596666