The Impact of an Awareness Raising Program to Reduce Parental use of Aversive Disciplinary Practices

摘要

This study conducted among Sri Lankan parents aimed to: (a) provide prevalence information regarding their use of various disciplinary practices, (b) examine their attitudes towards corporal punishment, (c) examine differences in disciplinary practices and attitudes based on demographic characteristics, and (d) evaluate an information-giving program/intervention on disciplining. The Parent-child Conflict Tactic Scale indicated a high rate of use of all disciplinary practices. Corporal punishment and psychological aggression differed significantly by parents' age and occupational status, but not by gender, ethnicity, or religion. Post-intervention data, gathered 6 weeks apart, indicated a significant decline in the use of aversive disciplining practices. This study suggests that a time-limited information-giving approach could be useful in reducing parental use and attitude towards aversive disciplinary practices.