Emotionally disturbed children's beliefs about punishment

Beliefs about discipline were examined in 58 emotionally disturbed, residentially placed children. Sixty-one percent had been physically or sexually abused prior to placement. Subjects were presented with vignettes depicting child misbehaviors and interpersonal problem situations. Very few children recommended physical punishment, including those from abusive families. However, emotionally disturbed children were somewhat more likely to endorse physical punishment than previously studied children from a normal sample. Neither gender nor ethnic differences were found. Children who endorsed physical punishment were also more likely to recommend aggressive problem solutions.