Spanking may cause future harm

A new study published in the journal “Pediatrics,” a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, finds that spanking and other forms of physical discipline can increase the rate of anxiety, depression and other mental disorders even in the absence of more severe forms of physical abuse.

In the study published on July 2, Dr. Tracie Afifi, who has a doctorate in community health sciences and is assistant professor in the department of community health sciences at the University of Manitoba, found that children who were disciplined using corporal punishment, defined as “pushing, grabbing, shoving, slapping, (and) hitting” had an increased rate of mental disorders, even when other factors had been accounted for.

For the complete story, see the July 12 issue of the Navarre Press, or subscribe online.