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Research findings can change attitudes about corporal punishment
George W Holden1, Alan S Brown1, Austin S Baldwin1
1Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, USA.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|November 20, 2013
Summary
Informing adults about research on corporal punishment (CP) significantly reduced positive attitudes toward spanking. This brief intervention shows promise for preventing child maltreatment and behavior problems.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Child Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Positive attitudes towards corporal punishment (CP) are linked to increased spanking behavior.
- CP is frequently associated with negative child outcomes, including behavior problems and maltreatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if educating adults about research findings on CP's negative effects can alter their attitudes.
- To compare the efficacy of active versus passive information processing on attitude change.
Main Methods:
- Two randomized studies were conducted.
- Study 1 involved 118 non-parent adults reading research summaries on CP.
- Study 2 involved 520 parents, including a control group, to assess attitude changes after reading summaries.
Main Results:
- Both studies found a significant decrease in favorable attitudes toward CP after participants read research summaries.
- Active and passive reading conditions yielded comparable attitude changes in Study 1.
- Parents in Study 2 showed significant attitude change, unlike the control group; those unaware of research exhibited greater change.
Conclusions:
- A brief, cost-effective intervention raising awareness of CP research can effectively reduce positive attitudes toward CP.
- This approach has implications for preventing CP and related child behavior problems.
- Intervention strategies can leverage research dissemination to promote positive parenting practices.
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