Corporal punishment as a Stressor Among Youth (pdf)

"This article addresses the impact of corporal punishment by parents on the psychological well being of youth. Based on the authors' findings, the research indicates a positive association between the frequency of corporal punishment and both psychological distress and depression."

Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review (pdf)

"The author presents the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental corporal punishment and 11 child behaviors and experiences. Parental corporal punishment was associated with all child constructs, including higher levels of immediate compliance and aggression and lower levels of moral internalization and mental health. The author then presents a process– context model to explain how parental corporal punishment might cause particular child outcomes and considers alternative explanations. The article concludes by identifying 7 major remaining issues for future research."

Corporal Punishment in Adolescence and Physical Assaults on Spouses in Later Life: What Accounts for the Link? (pdf)

"Using data on 4,401 couples who participated in the National Family Violence Survey, this article reports modeling of cultural norms or other processes that could account for the link between corporal punishment and partner violence. Because corporal punishment of adolescents occurs in over half of U.S. families, the findings suggest that elimination of this practice can reduce some of the psychological and social processes that increase the likelihood of future marital violence and perhaps other violence as well."

Factors Associated with the Use of Violence among Urban Black Adolescents (pdf)

The researchers examine the variables that are connected to violence involvement among black teenagers. They looked at how previous exposure to violence, family conflict, degree of corporal discipline,and victimization in the community influenced the use and nonuse of violence among black adolescents.

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

Impulsive Corporal Punishment by Mothers and Antisocial Behavior and Impulsiveness of Children

"This study tested the hypothesis that corporal punish- ment (CP), such as spanking or slapping a child for purposes of correcting misbehavior, is associated with antisocial behavior (ASB) and impulsiveness by the child. It was found that the more CP experienced by the child, the greater the tendency for the child to engage in ASB and to act impulsively. The results of this study suggest that CP is an important risk factor for children developing a pattern of impulsive and antisocial behavior which, in turn, may contribute to the level of violence and other crime in society."

Religious Influence on Parental Attitudes Toward the Use of Corporal Punishment (pdf)

"The purpose of this research was to determine if persons affiliated with religious denominations which emphasized a literal belief in the Bible would demonstrate less appropriate attitudes with regard to disciplining children than their counterparts who were affiliated with religious denominations which do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Bible. Statistically significant differences were noted with persons, regardless of gender or their level of education, who were members of churches subscribing to a literal belief in the Bible preferring the use of corporal punishment over alternate methods of discipline as compared to their nonliteral counterparts."

To Spank or Not To Spank: The Effect of Situation and Age of Child on Support for Corporal Punishment (pdf)

"This study examined college students' attitudes toward spanking as a function of the situational context and age of the child. Respondents were more likely to find spanking appropriate for preschool (ages 3–4) and early school age children (ages 7–8) than for older children (ages 11–12). Physical punishment was also viewed as more suitable when the child's misbehavior was disrespectful, or violated strongly held norms, and less appropriate for age-related or less serious misbehavior. Gender and race differences emerged, with males and blacks showing more support for corporal punishment than females and whites. In general, findings revealed strong support for spanking, although there was evidence of some ambivalence, especially among white and female respondents. Implications of the findings are discussed."