Spanking and child outcomes: Old controversies and new meta-analyses.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Meta-analysis of observational cohort and cross-sectional studies
PubMed 27055181 · doi:10.1037/fam0000191
What was done
Meta-analyses focused specifically on parental spanking were conducted on 111 unique effect sizes representing 160,927 children to assess whether spanking outcomes differ from physical abuse and whether findings are robust across study designs.
What was found
Thirteen of 17 mean effect sizes were significantly different from zero, and all indicated a link between spanking and increased risk for detrimental child outcomes. Effect sizes did not substantially differ between spanking and physical abuse or by study design characteristics. Specific numerical effect sizes and confidence intervals were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This large meta-analysis demonstrates that spanking is consistently linked to detrimental outcomes rather than beneficial behavioral improvements, showing effect patterns similar to physical abuse.
Limits
No specific effect sizes or variance estimates are provided in the abstract. The primary data derive from observational studies, which restricts causal inference because of potential confounding variables such as baseline child temperament or broader family stressors.