engleski

Preventative and Corrective Discipline by Mothers of Preschool Children in Croatia

This study examined the specific discipline methods used by mothers of six years old preschool children. The concept of discipline has been assessed through concepts of corrective and preventive discipline (Straus and Fauchier, 2007) and discussed within the larger theoretical frame of recent models of family socialization. That included the ways in which parents correct the inevitable misbehaviors of their children as well as their acceptance and facilitation of children&#8217; s desirable behavior. Measures included The Dimensions of Discipline Inventory (Straus and Fauchier, 2007) and an adapted version of Child-Rearing Practices Report (Profaca, 2002 ; adopted from Leahy, 1981). Study participants were 329 mothers of preschool children from Zagreb, Croatia (168 boys and 151 girls). The Dimensions of Discipline Inventory provides information on 26 of the most frequently used discipline behaviors of parents, categorized into two forms of corrective discipline: punitive and non-punitive methods. We also gathered data on severe misbehavior of children as perceived by mothers. As expected, non-punitive methods had the highest frequency, and corporal punishment and psychological aggression were the least frequent. Within punitive methods, yelling was the most frequently used method within psychological aggression, and spanking was the most frequently used form of corporal punishment. Results of preventative discipline reflect significantly more frequent use of preventative discipline than would be expected by the normal distribution. There is a significant positive correlation between mothers&#8217; punitive and non-punitive corrective discipline (r=0.34, p<0.01), a significant negative correlation between punitive discipline and preventative behavior (r=-0.22, p<0.01), and no correlation between preventative and non-punitive behavior (r=0.08, p>0.05). These findings confirm our hypotheses that prevention and correction are interrelated but separate dimensions. Experiences with The Dimensions of Discipline Inventory as comprehensive instrument, limitations related to socially desirable responding, and methodological issues in applying the instruments will be discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.

discipline methods; corrective and preventive discipline; punitive discipline; non-punitive discipline; corporal punishment

nije evidentirano