Physical Punishment

Although all parents in the sample used physical punishment, opinions were mixed on its acceptability and effectiveness.
Parents cited their own upbringing and judicial caning as factors that encouraged their use of physical punishment.
Physical punishment’s unmatched ability to elicit immediate compliance also incentivised its use by parents.
Parents’ use of physical punishment is driven by factors such as the child’s age, transgression, and their mood and stress.
A majority of parents described intense feelings of guilt and regret after administering physical punishment.

Clarissa Choo, Hoi Shan Cheung, Elinor Lim, Kelly M. Y. Chan, Charlene S. L. Fu

Young adults felt that the distinction between physical discipline and abuse is subjective.
Participants noted that physical punishment may encourage behavioural compliance but may not hold instructive value.
Physical punishment may also hold long-lasting consequences in the form of negative emotions and trauma for the recipient.
Some young adults rationalised their experiences of physical punishment, such as by recognising their parents did not know better.
Though most participants reported negative experiences of past physical punishment, about half expressed intentions or possibility of physically disciplining their potential future children.

Kelly M. Y. Chan, Elinor Lim, Hoi Shan Cheung, Charlene S. L. Fu

Young adults reported parental discipline experiences that could be sorted into 3 groups, ranging from harshest (high levels of physical, psychological, and non-violent discipline) to least harsh (little physical discipline, moderate amount of psychological discipline, and high level of non-violent discipline).
Participants who received harsher parental discipline had more difficulty regulating their emotions and poorer relationships with their parents, compared with those who received less harsh discipline.
The young adults who reported receiving harsher discipline from their mothers also had lower self-esteem than those who received less harsh maternal discipline. The harshness of paternal discipline did not significantly affect participants’ self-esteem.

Kelly M. Y. Chan, Elinor Lim, Hoi Shan Cheung, Charlene S. L. Fu