Caregiving Responsibilities and Child Spanking

This study examines whether mothers who are also caregivers of elderly or dependent family members are more likely to resort to physical discipline than other mothers. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we found that caregivers are more likely to spank their children than noncaregivers; however, among those who spank, caregivers are somewhat less prone to frequent spankings than noncaregivers. The data further suggest that it is primarily care for adults outside the household that is related to use and frequency of spankings.