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Factors affecting the link between physical discipline and child externalizing problems in Black and White families
Author(s) -
Lau Anna S.,
Litrownik Alan J.,
Newton Rae R.,
Black Maureen M.,
Everson Mark D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.20085
Subject(s) - generalizability theory , psychology , white (mutation) , developmental psychology , race (biology) , child discipline , affect (linguistics) , externalization , african american , clinical psychology , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , social psychology , medicine , gender studies , gene , biochemistry , chemistry , environmental health , communication , ethnology , history , sociology
Abstract We examined contextual factors that may affect the impact of physical discipline on later child behavior problems among high‐risk Black and White families. We examined race, parental warmth, and early child problems as potential moderators of the discipline–behavior problem link. The sample included 442 White and Black children and their caregivers interviewed at ages 4, 6, and 8 years. Results indicated that physical discipline operated similarly across the groups, leading to increased externalizing problems only when children demonstrated behavioral problems early on. However, while warm parental attitudes protected against later problems among White children, these attitudes exacerbated early problems in Black children. These findings suggest both racial variability and generalizability in the effects of parenting on child adjustment. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.