Abstract
Introduction
Corporal punishment (CP) is defined as the use of physical force with the intention
of causing a child to experience pain but not injury for the purpose of correction
or control of the child's behavior. CP has been linked to a variety of negative consequences
for children, including physical abuse, eternalizing behavioral problems, and slowed
cognitive development. Many American children continue to experience CP at the hands
of their parents and other caregivers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate learner
attitude toward CP before and after implementation of a pediatric nurse practitioner–designed
educational intervention and influences upon learner attitude and beliefs about CP.
Method
This study used a pre- and postsurvey design to assess learner attitude about CP before
and after participation in an educational intervention. Influences upon learner attitudes
and beliefs regarding CP were also described. Learners (N = 882) were health care providers.
Results
Nearly all learners (n = 747; 84.7%) stated that the way their parents disciplined them influenced their
attitudes toward CP. Fewer than one fifth of learners who were also parents (n = 126; 14.4%) reported that their child's health care provider had ever discussed
child discipline with them. Prior to the educational intervention, more than one third
of learners (n = 351; 39.88%) endorsed spanking as sometimes necessary, yet significantly fewer
learners (n = 251; 28.9%; p < .001) made this statement after the educational intervention. Child discipline
management was included in the health care provider education for fewer than half
of learners (n = 365; 41.4%).
Discussion
The potential for experiencing CP as a child to result in negative consequences for
children has been well documented, yet many American parents continue to use CP as
a form of child discipline, and some pediatric health care professionals continue
to endorse its use. Pediatric health care providers, including nurses and pediatric
nurse practitioners, need to be educated about child discipline and CP. All pediatric
health care providers need to advocate for the use of positive parenting principles
and discourage the use of CP.
Key Words
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Biography
Gail Hornor, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Center for Family Safety and Healing, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Biography
Deborah Bretl, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
Biography
Evelyn Chapman, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, New York, NY.
Biography
Ellen Chiocca, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing, DePaul University, Chicago, IL.
Biography
Carrie Donnell, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Center for Child Protection and Well-Being, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
Biography
Katharine Doughty, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Center for Family Safety and Healing, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Biography
Susan Houser, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, CASARC Child Advocacy Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.
Biography
Bridget Marshall, Assistant Professor, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO.
Biography
Kristen Morris, Assistant Professor, University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN.
Biography
Saribel Garcia Quinones, Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University, New York, NY.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 11, 2015
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
