Can spanking cause mental illness?

[LaurenG]

CNN) - Parents often ask me whether spanking is really so bad. After all, they were spanked as kids and they turned out fine. Plus, it's the only thing that will get their child to listen, they say.

Much research has focused on the effects that severe child abuse can have on a person's mental well-being. But a new study published in the July issue of the journal Pediatrics takes a look at the possible link between mental health disorders and harsh physical punishment in the absence of abuse. The findings may persuade parents not to spank at all.

Researchers from Canada found that physical punishment (such as slapping, hitting, pushing and shoving) -- even without child neglect or physical, sexual or emotional abuse -- was linked to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and personality disorders.

While it may be true that many of today's parents were spanked as children and are now well-adjusted, previous studies have also shown that those who were spanked are at a higher risk to be depressed; use alcohol; hit their spouse or own children; and engage in violent or criminal behaviors.

Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/health/Can-spanking-cause-mental-illness/-/9837732/15371678/-/145g9vrz/-/index.html#ixzz1zULykErP






I was certainly spanked and by todays standards abused and I did have anxiety disorders. Great reasons not to spank kids.

[PDJane]

1. I wasn't spanked; I was hit with a closed fist and beaten with a leather belt.

And yes, I have depression and anxiety disorders, and absolutely despise my father, and find my mother wears on what little patience I have left.

The only thing that's different is the extreme.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Similar history

My father used a leather belt most of the time. My mother usually used a hand, but one time she whipped me with a plastic clothesline. I was about five at the time.

At age 60, I still have a hard time looking at a leather belt that's not being worn by someone.

And yes, depression.

[Raffi Ella]

5. "...I still have a hard time looking at a leather belt that's not being worn by someone."

Me too. And god forbid anyone yanking one out of their belt loops in my presence.

Anxiety and depression have always been a big presence in my life.

[LiberalLoner]

13. Me too. PTSD, not necessarily from whippings but other abuse like sexual, etc.

[roguevalley]

20. we were spanked once in a while. We're fine.

[Odin2005]

2. ALL corporal punishment is psychologically damaging.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I was never spanked. My parents thought it was barbaric.

I also never spanked my own kids.

But we have mental illness in our family. Go figure.

[AverageJoe90]

6. That is pretty ironic, TBH.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Sometimes it's genetic.

Not always caused by trauma.

[randr]

8. One of the saddest things I have ever heard

Listened to Pierce (?) interview Michael Jacksons mother over the weekend.
He asked about the abuse from Michael's father.
She admitted the beating took place and said no one was ever hurt by beating with a belt. She further questioned where the world would be without harsh discipline.
All I could think when she uttered the words was that without his fathers beatings Michael may still be here today.
Such a sad and confused woman using her religion as a crutch.

[LaurenG]

10. Dang no kidding. So much pain has been visited upon us all

just because no one taught us it's not ok to beat children.

[felix_numinous]

9. The whole idea of breaking kids

like you break a horse, results in kids that are afraid of asserting themselves. My parents were beat and so they did that to us, and me and all my sibs have spent a lifetime struggling with assertiveness, trusting relationships and just being able to live in our bodies.

Speaking of horses, I'll never forget the movie about the horse whisperer, and how he could tell if a horse was beat, which side, and as he gentled them he so deeply moved people in the audience, some people would come to him in tears after his demonstrations. They had been beat too as children. Of course I cried too.

[LeftofObama]

11. I was beat several times as a child.

My father would beat me with a belt for just disagreeing with him. After a while you just learn to keep your mouth shut. My mother was emotionally abusive, if she didn't get her way she would call you every name in the book and make you feel like you were lower than whale shit.

To this day I can't stand to hear someone say, "because I said so".

I have had anxiety disorders and relationship problems from as far back as I can remember. I have a really hard time being in groups of people, and that includes my own dysfunctional family. My dad had dementia in his final years and he died over 5 years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss him. My mother is getting on in years and when she's gone I don't think I'll miss her either. Thanks to the physical and emotional abuse I suffered as a child I've learned to not trust another living soul, keep my mouth shut, my head down, and get along all by myself.

So in response to the question, "Can spanking cause mental illness?", the short answer in my opinion is Yes It Can!

[LaurenG]

14. Mine is "Shame on you" it makes me want to say

a really bad word because that's how my mother got everything she wanted. First you beat them then you shame them.

[LeftofObama]

17. I could tell you some stories from my childhood

that would make your skin crawl. We were never allowed free time as children, and our play time was limited to when our parents had company so we wouldn't be in the way. If I was caught reading a book just for the fun of it there were suddenly 100 chores that needed to be done.

One day my sister and I were outside playing and we were having a great time laughing and running around. My mother felt we were being unproductive so she called us both inside. I had to go to my room and get all of my clothes out of the dresser and re wash them and my sister had to take all of the dishes out of the cupboard and rewash those.

There are a thousand other things I could tell, but it just makes me depressed to even think about it.

[LaurenG]

18. I always wondered what % of human beings

Had dysfunctional or abusive childhoods. I am really sorry that so many people had such a hard time just being a kid, very sad...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. One of my Psych teachers answered a question from a mother, "How much should you spank your child?"

It was a night class, so a lot of "ordinary" people were attending rather than regular students.

He answered:

"Until YOU feel better"

She looked bewildered for a minute then finally got it.

[cynatnite]

15. Not spanking doesn't mean your kids are going to turn out badly

That's what needs to be said more often.

[dembotoz]

16. Cause?? doubt it...contribute-perhaps

[loyalsister]

19. I was going to say the same thing

Headlines that omit logic and clarity approach outright dishonesty.

There are some people who have mental illnesses experienced abuse.
There are some people who were abused experience mental illness.
Not all people who experience abuse also experience mental illness

Thus, childhood abuse may contribute to mental illness in some people.