The impact and perceived effectiveness of physical punishment: A qualitative study of young adults’ retrospective accounts
Abstract
Background: Physical discipline is a widely-studied parenting practice given its association with numerous negative outcomes, such as increased aggression and poor parent-child relationships. While research on this topic has been steadily growing, most studies have utilised quantitative data obtained from parents’ perspectives on the topic. As such, less is known about the heterogeneous experiences of children who had received physical punishment which may be better represented in qualitative feedback.
Objective: This study aims to retrospectively explore the experience of having been physically disciplined from first-hand accounts.
Participants: 25 young adults aged 18 to 24 (M = 21.4; female = 14) who had received physical discipline by their parents in the past were interviewed about their experiences over a video call.
Methods: Interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences of parental discipline (physical and non-physical). Thematic analysis was conducted where the interviews were transcribed and coded, before being examined for concepts underlying the codes (“themes”).
Results: Based on participants’ interviews, four themes were identified in relation to their experiences of physical punishment: 1) Unclear distinctions between physical discipline and abuse; 2) Negative consequences and the ineffectiveness of physical discipline; 3) Rationalising past experiences of physical discipline; 4) Negative past experiences of physical discipline does not preclude future use.
Conclusions: The use of qualitative data provided rich insights into the nuances of receiving physical punishment. The four themes identified in this study were discussed in relation to existing literature. Implications of physical punishment on children’s mental health, as well as the importance of advocacy and legislation around physical punishment were highlighted.
