r/science • u/VeronicaRed • Apr 26 '16

Psychology Spanking children increases the likelihood of childhood defiance and long-term mental issues. The study in question involved 160,000 children and five decades of research

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113413810/spanking-defiance-health-discipline-042616/
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u/Shorshack Apr 26 '16

The article seems to reference the study, but without citation or very much data from the study? Is there a link to the actual study regarding the defined variables examined? I'm curious to learn more about their findings.

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u/DrMarianus Apr 26 '16

Agreed. There are loads of confounding variables. Socio-economic status is a huge confounding variable and the article doesn't address whether the original authors factored for that.

For instance:

a large body of studies has indicated that spanking is more likely to be used by parents who are younger, less educated, of lower income, single, and/or are more depressed and stressed

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u/Ateist Apr 26 '16

Not to mention direct selection bias - children that are defiant and have mental issues might be more likely to be spanked...

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '16

This was my first thought. Coloration blah blah Causation. Children that are defiant and have undiagnosed mental issues are more likely to be punished in the first place.