A cross-sectional study of parental self-reported physical violence against their children / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of physical violence against children (PVAC)by parents and to explore possible related factors.Methods:In two primary schools in Liaoning Province,1164 parents of pupils in grade 1 to 6 were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire anonymously to analyze situation about PVAC and related factors.PVAC was defined as having one or more following parent-to-child behaviors in the past three monthspush,or shook a child;pinch,screw,or scratch a child;hit child's buttocks with hand;hit child's hand,foot,arm,leg or back with hand;hit child's buttocks with an object;hit child's face or head with hand;hit elsewhere (not buttocks)with an object;kicked a child with a foot or hit with a fist.Results:Of 1164 parents,53.1% reported that they had minor PVAC (51.0%)or/and severe PVAC (19.8%).Multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis indicated that following factors increased the risk of PVACchild's male gender (OR =1.49),younger age of children (OR =1.38),poor school performance of children (OR =1.85 ),mother (OR =2.09),parents'childhood physical violence victimization experiences (OR =1.53),parents'supportive or tolerant attitudes towards corporal punishment (OR =3.15),parents'lower awareness of the harmfulness of physical violence against children (OR =2.31),and lower social economic status (OR =1.47).Conclusion:The PVAC by their parents may be com-mon in the present study.Parents'supportive or tolerant attitudes toward corporal punishment and low awareness of the harmfulness of physical violence is the main risk factors of PVAC.