Harsh Physical Punishment in Childhood and Adult Physical Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of physical punishment is controversial. No studies have comprehensively examined the relationship between physical punishment and several physical health conditions in a nationally representative sample. The current study investigated possible associations between harsh physical punishment (ie, pushing, grabbing, shoving, slapping, and hitting) in the absence of more severe child maltreatment (ie, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, and exposure to intimate partner violence) and several physical health conditions. METHODS: Data were from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions collected in 2004 and 2005 (n = 34 226 in the current analysis). The survey was conducted with a representative US adult population sample (20 years or older). Eight past year physical health condition categories were assessed. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, family history of dysfunction, and Axis I and II mental disorders. RESULTS: Harsh physical punishment was associated with higher odds of cardiovascular disease (borderline significance), arthritis, and obesity after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, family history of dysfunction, and Axis I and II mental disorders (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.20 to 1.30). CONCLUSIONS: Harsh physical punishment in the absence of child maltreatment is associated with some physical health conditions in a general population sample. These findings inform the ongoing debate around the use of physical punishment and provide evidence that harsh physical punishment independent of child maltreatment is associated with a higher likelihood of physical health conditions.

Association of child maltreatment subtypes and long-term physical health in a German representative sample

“…Depending on the number of maltreatment experiences encountered, the odds ratio (OR) was reported to be increased by up to 1.6 for severe obesity, 2.2 for ischaemic heart disease, 1.9 for the occurrence of any kind of cancer, 2.4 for stroke, 3.9 for chronic bronchitis or emphysema and 1.6 for diabetes (Felitti et al, 1998). Other extended cross-sectional studies followed, confirming associations of child maltreatment with an enhanced risk for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, emphysema and cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and myocardial infarction (Afifi, Mota, MacMillan, & Sareen, 2013; Draper et al, 2008; L. K. Gilbert et al, 2015). …”

“…Even though some studies focused on the impact of specific maltreatment subtypes, such as sexual (Maniglio, 2009) or physical abuse (Afifi et al, 2013; Springer, Sheridan, Kuo, & Carnes, 2007) on physical health outcomes, since different methods were used, these results are hardly comparable. Two recent publications from a Canadian survey assessed the impact of physical abuse, sexual abuse and exposure to intimate partner violence during childhood on later development of diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).…”

Corporal punishment of children: discipline or abuse?

“…About 100 children die every year as victims of corporal punishment and many more suffer from disabilities [1]. In terms of health, physical punishment of children predisposes to physical illnesses such as asthma [2,3], cardiovascular disease, obesity, arthritis [4], neoplasia [3], decreased volume of cerebral gray matter [5], and increase in the frequency of hospital stays [2]. In addition, negative experiences in childhood are associated with metabolic diseases in adult age such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein, high glucosylated hemoglobin, reduction in maximum oxygen consumption levels [6], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol consumption, and liver diseases in adults [7].…”

Corporal Punishment of Children in the Jamaican Context

“…These include cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, obesity (Afifi, Mota, MacMillan, & Sareen, 2013;Fuller-Thomson, Brennenstuhl, & Franck, 2010), and general poor health (Middlebrooks & Audage, 2008;Springer, 2009). However, except for direct physical injury, the connections are unclear.…”