Parenting Programs to Prevent Corporal Punishment: A Systematic Review

• Main Authors: Paolla Magioni Santini, Lucia CA Williams
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2016-04-01
• Series: Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto)
• Subjects: entrenamiento de padres; intervención psicológica; castigo; abuso de niños; violencia doméstica
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-863X2016000100121&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract Studies have shown that corporal punishment against children is a common family practice, causing damage to child development. Considering that parents are the main perpetrators of this type of aggression, parenting programs are needed to raise children without violence. This study aimed at performing a systematic review of parenting programs evaluations to reduce corporal punishment. Intervention procedures, as well as design, results and limitations were identified for each study. The PRISMA protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used for reporting the results. A literature survey was conducted in Brazilian databases, as well as English ones from 1994-2014. One Brazilian study and eight international studies were selected as relevant, and only four used randomized controlled trials (RCT). All studies reported satisfactory results in decreasing aggression by parents against their children. Further research in the area with solid methodology is recommended.