U.S. Pediatricians' Training Needs and Beliefs Regarding Advising Parents about Effective Child Discipline

Cathy Taylor

Tulane University

Catherine Taylor’s work is focused on the primary preventionof family violence, particularly child physical abuse, corporal punishment, andintimate partner violence. Her scholarship is designed to be translated anddisseminated to disrupt the intergenerational cycle of violence as well asreduce childhood trauma and resulting health disparities. Taylor‘s publichealth approach to violence prevention targets population-level, social norms’change (e.g., education of professionals and universal parenting education). Her research methodologies have ranged from randomized controlled trials andquasi-experimental designs to large epidemiologic studies, surveys, and focusgroups.

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed pediatricians’ perceived levels of preparedness, among themselves and their colleagues, to advise parents about child discipline. Specific training needs, beliefs about effective discipline... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: This study assessed pediatricians’ perceived levels of preparedness, among themselves and their colleagues, to advise parents about child discipline. Specific training needs, beliefs about effective discipline strategies, and motivations to change social norms regarding use of corporal punishment (CP) were assessed.

Methods: A sample of 1500 U.S. primary care pediatricians was surveyed via self-administered questionnaire by mail. Cash incentives ranged from $5 - $20. The survey assessed preparedness and value of advising parents on child discipline, perceived professional norms about advising parents on child discipline, motivations to change norms around CP use, and beliefs about child discipline practices. The final survey response rate was 53% (n=787).

Results: The majority of pediatricians felt “somewhat” prepared to advise parents on child discipline, but felt their colleagues were less prepared. Most thought the value of providing discipline advice was “very” high. They ranked “being consistent with rules,” “praising good behavior,” and “applying awareness of a child’s developmental capabilities” as the most effective forms of discipline; shaming, yelling, and spanking were ranked as least effective. Older and more experienced pediatricians assigned higher value to advising parents on this topic than did those who were younger and less experienced. Those who were spanked or hit often as a child felt more prepared to advise parents, perceived higher preparedness amongst colleagues, and felt greater value in advising parents on discipline strategies than those who were hit less or never.

Conclusions: The use of CP is harmful to children’s health; however, CP is still widely used by parents in the U.S. Pediatricians play a key role in advising parents about child discipline strategies. We found that most are aware of effective vs. non-effective types of discipline, and most are eager to advise parents and change norms regarding the use of CP with children.

Authors

Cathy Taylor (Tulane University)
Julia Fleckman (Tulane University)
Shawna Lee (University of Michigan)
Seth Scholer (Vanderbilt University)
Nelson Branco (Tamalpais Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco)
Stacie Leblanc (New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center)

Topic Area

Training Professionals and Education of children and families

Session

Daily » Poster Sessions (14:00 - Wednesday, 4th October, King Willem Alexander Foyer)

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