Smacking linked to rise in risk of mental health issues

SMACKING children can traumatise them to the same level as severe violent abuse, according to a new study that has prompted calls for governments to run public health campaigns against physical punishment.

Scientists from Harvard University found children who had been smacked were more likely to develop mental health issues, anxiety, depression, behavioural problems and substance abuse.

Smacking by a parent or carer is lawful in Australia and not considered child abuse providing it’s “reasonable”.

Leading psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said the study backed his own experience that smacking was unnecessary, but parents who had given “a tap on the leg” shouldn’t panic as that was unlikely to cause lifelong damage.

“An anti-smacking information campaign would be a great help to parents in the minefield of discipline,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.

“There are much better alternatives to smacking. Smacking doesn’t work when it comes to disciplining, time out and rewarding with praise are far better parental tools.

“I am not an advocate for smacking in any way but this research discovery needs to define exactly what it means by smacking.

“Reasonable parents don’t need to be made to feel that they have ruined their child for life if they have given them a tap on the back of the leg.

“I would imagine the study involves severe and unreasonable chastisement.”

In Australia, smacking is dying out but in 2019 a national survey showed 47 per cent of Australians believed it was acceptable, compared with 38 per cent who opposed it.

More recent US studies show almost half of parents have reported spanking their children in the past year and one-third in the past week.