NCJ Number
232402
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 244-261
Date Published
February 2006
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study examined the long-term effects of childhood physical punishment, suggesting that physical punishment teaches children aggressive and controlling strategies for resolving conflict that they will later apply within intimate relationships as adults.
Abstract
Drawing from social learning theories and symbolic interactionist understandings of social life, the authors suggest that physical punishment teaches aggressive and controlling strategies for solving the problems of living together and hinders the development of important problem-solving skills, specifically the ability to role take with others. These strategies and skills become part of an individual's toolkit for problem resolution within his or her marriage. The analysis is based on 188 married couples in Washington State who participated in a longitudinal study of the first 2 years of marriage. The analysis reveals the following: Individuals who were physically punished during childhood are more likely to engage in physical and verbal aggression with their spouses, individuals who were physically punished during childhood are more controlling with their spouses, and individuals who were physically punished during childhood are less able to take their spouse's perspective. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)