NCJ Number
224218
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 766-773
Date Published
August 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence, type, and factors associated with child caregivers’ harsh corporal punishment in Yemen.
Abstract
The study found that just over half of the rural caregivers and about a quarter of the urban caregivers reported using harsh corporal punishment (hitting children with implements, tying them up, pinching them, or biting them). Factors significantly associated with harsh corporal punishment were a child’s poor school performance and the child’s behavioral and/or emotional difficulties. The social and family factors that were independently linked with caregivers’ harsh corporal punishment were living in a rural area, a male child, low maternal education, and large family size. Given the prevalence of caregivers’ harsh corporal punishment of children in Yemen, the promotion of parental use of effective, nonviolent disciplinary methods should be a public health priority. Efforts should include the development and evaluation of programs that teach parents how to use culturally appropriate rewards and nonabusive sanctions in shaping children’s behavior. The study obtained caregiver and teacher reports on 1,196 Yemeni 7-10-year-olds. This was done by means of systematic random sampling of children in the first to the fourth grades of both urban and rural schools. Caregivers (86 percent were mothers) reported on their disciplinary practices with their children, social and family background, and child psychopathology. Teachers reported on school performance and child psychopathology. 2 tables and 35 references