190 - Parenting Classes are Associated with Higher Parent Self-Reporting of Child Physical Discipline

Poster Number: 190
Publication Number: 190.1200

Background: In 2021, there were 600,000 victims of child maltreatment in the U.S. The use of physical discipline continues to be a risk factor for physical abuse. Positive parenting interventions have been associated with increased parental self-efficacy.

Objective: This study aimed to understand parental perceptions of parenting classes and associations with physical discipline practices.

Design/Methods: In this national, cross-sectional study, parents of children less than 18 years old were invited to complete online surveys via Qualtrics panels in August 2022. Parents answered questions on their perceptions of parenting classes (previous experiences, interest, and availability of classes) and whether they had ever taken a class. Parents reported if they had used any of 12 physical and nonphysical discipline practices using questions adapted from the validated International Child Abuse Screening Tool Parent Version (ICAST-P). Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between the use of discipline practices and experience, interest and availability of parenting classes.

Results: Among 1886 parents, 30% of parents reported ever taking a parenting class (Demographics are in Table 1). Among them, 98% reported the class was helpful. Of those who had never taken a parenting class, 25% reported availability of a parenting class in their community, 19% had no class available and 56% were uncertain about class availability. Using physical discipline practices was reported more commonly by parents who had taken a parenting class compared to those who had not taken a class, including slapping the child in the face or back of the head (35% vs 7%, p< 0.001), shaking aggressively (42% vs 8%, p< 0.001), and spanking the buttocks with a bare hand (47% vs 24%, p< 0.001, Table 2). Interest in parenting classes was significantly higher in those who reported spanking on the buttocks (30% vs 20%, p< 0.0001). There was no significant difference in interest in parenting classes among those reporting all other physical discipline practices (Table 3). Preference for virtual parenting classes was reported by 36% of parents.

Conclusion(s): Parents who took parenting classes were more likely to report every discipline practice, including abusive practices. Similar to prior research, a large majority of parents reported parenting classes were helpful. Future research should examine the frequency of physical discipline practices before and after attending parenting classes.