Trajectories of Physical Discipline: Early Childhood Antecedents and Developmental Outcomes

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01340.x
• Publication Date: 2009-09-14T22:21:52Z
• Authors: Jennifer E. Lansford; Michael M. Criss; Kenneth A. Dodge; Daniel S. Shaw; Gregory S. Pettit; John E. Bates
• Keywords: Disadvantage; Child discipline

This study examined childhood antecedents and developmental outcomes associated with trajectories of mild harsh parental physical discipline. Interview, questionnaire, observational data were available from 499 children followed ages 5 to 16 258 in an independent sample 15. Analyses indicated distinct discipline trajectory groups that varied frequency rate change. In both samples, family ecological disadvantage differentiated the groups; first sample, early child externalizing also groups. Controlling for externalizing, minimal/ceasing lowest levels subsequent adolescent antisocial behavior samples parent-adolescent positive relationship quality second sample.