Physical punishment linked to mental disorders
By Charlotte Fantelli
We have often reported links between mental illness and abuse; however, a new and very interesting study reveals the link goes beyond what many would term abusive.
In data collected from around 35,000 adults in the United States, links were found between physical punishment; including slapping and pushing, but not including more severe forms of child abuse, and mental ill-health. Showing quite conclusively those who have been punished with physical discipline, have higher rates of mental illness later in life.
Tracie Afifi at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg lead the study, and states; "People believe that as long as you don't cross that line into child maltreatment, and the physical punishment is controlled and doesn't cross the line into abuse, it won't have any negative long-term consequences for the child,"
On average 16% of people surveyed had been depressed at some point in their life, this rose to 20% in those who remembered being slapped, or receiving other forms of physical punishment.
Of the general population surveyed, 30% considered themselves to ‘drink too much’ but this rose to a staggering 43% of those who received physical punishment as a child.
The research took into account other aspects such as social, economic, racial and family history, to ensure the accuracy of the results.
Proof if ever we needed more, that disciplining a child should never resort to physical punishment.
