Patterns of child discipline and associated factors in a representative sample of Honduran caregivers

Disciplinary practices are strategies used by parents or caregivers to correct or guide children's behavior, often combining both aggressive and non-violent methods. In Honduras empirical evidence on these practices and their associated factor remains scarce.

This study aims to identify disciplinary patterns in Honduran caregivers and explore associated sociodemographic factors with these patterns.

Data were obtained from the 2019 Honduras National Demographic and Health Survey (ENDESA), which included a nationally representative sample of 16,182 caregivers of children aged 1-14 years (M = 7.5, SD = 4.0).

A cross-sectional design was used. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified disciplinary profiles based on 11 caregiver-reported behaviors, and multinomial logistic regression assessed associations with child and household characteristics. Analyses accounted for the complex sampling design.

Four disciplinary profiles were identified: non-violent discipline (39.8%), low disciplinary control (28.4%), high control discipline (18.5%), and verbal with physical discipline (13.3%). High disciplinary control patterns were associated with younger child age, functional disability, lower socioeconomic status, and caregiver acceptance of physical punishment, whereas higher maternal education was protective.

The coexistence of aggressive and non-aggressive practices highlights cultural ambivalence in child-rearing. Findings emphasize the need to strengthen positive parenting programs and public policies that promote non-violent discipline to ensure children's rights and well-being.