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Relationships Among Parental Beliefs in Corporal Punishment, Reported Stress, and Physical Child Abuse Potential

NCJ Number
204336
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 413-419
Author(s)
Julie L. Crouch; Leah E. Behl
Date Published
March 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the extent to which parental belief in the value of corporal punishment moderates the association between level of parenting stress and physical child abuse potential.
Abstract
Based on existing theory, it was expected that levels of parenting stress would be positively associated with physical child abuse potential among parents that reported high levels of belief in the value of corporal punishment. Forty-one parents were assessed for belief in the value of corporal punishment, level of parenting stress, and physical child abuse potential using self-report measures. The final sample consisted of 31 parents with valid and complete protocols. Respondents were categorized as either high or low on belief in corporal punishment and parenting stress. The results showed that, consistent with theory and previous research, level of stress related to parenting was significantly associated with physical child abuse potential. The results suggested that the association between stress and physical child abuse potential may be moderated by the parents’ level of belief in the value of corporal punishment. Among parents that strongly believed in the value of corporal punishment, level of stress was positively associated with physical child abuse potential. Level of parenting stress was not associated with physical child abuse potential among parents that reported low levels of belief in the value of corporal punishment. This pattern of results is consistent with theory suggesting that under conditions of high stress, the underlying belief structure of the parent may significantly impact parenting behavior. These findings underscore the importance of considering both parental cognitions and levels of parenting stress in assessing potential for physical child abuse. 1 figure, 11 references

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