Child disciplining practices in Kerala

M K C Nair1, K Rajmohanan, S Remadevi

  • 1Clinical Epidemiology Research and Training Centre, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. nairmkc@rediffmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|March 13, 2009
PubMed

This study was done to examine the type and severity of disciplinary practices adopted by parents in Kerala. 1668 mothers, aged 18-49, participated in face-to-face interviews as part of a cross-sectional, population-based survey covering rural, urban and coastal areas. One child from each family was randomly selected as the index child. The interview focused primarily on disciplinary practices. 62% of the mothers reported using severe verbal discipline and 50% of mothers reported using severe physical abuse. Results suggest a high prevalence of normative and abusive practices in the community with mothers playing a prime role in disciplining the child.

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