Spanking at Ages 3 and 5 Years Affects Later Child Development and Behavior

Spanking is common and associated with negative developmental outcomes at age 9 years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy on effective discipline states that spanking usually does not enhance a child's development and may have negative outcomes. A recent study showed a strong association between harsh physical punishment in childhood and adult psychiatric problems (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med 2013 Aug 6). Researchers examined the association between spanking and externalizing behaviors (aggression and oppositional behavior) in a longitudinal cohort study of 1933 children born between 1998 and 2000 from 20 U.S. cities. Parents completed standardized questionnaires when children were ages 3, 5, and 9 years, and children were assessed at age 9 years for externalizing behaviors and receptive vocabulary (Peabody Vocab…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Spanking at Ages 3 and 5 Years Affects Later Child Development and Behavior

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Reviewing Author