Attitudes toward smacking in a New Zealand probability sample: Psychological and demographic correlates

This research was conducted following the 2009 citizens-initiated referendum that aimed to overturn the 2007 legislative change that repealed parents' right to use force in the correction or discipline of children. Using a national probability sample of 5,752 New Zealand adults, the study investigated the prevalence and correlates of positive attitudes towards the physical discipline (i.e., smacking) of children. Three distinct items assessing attitudes to use of physical discipline were embedded within a large postal survey. New Zealanders expressed more favourable views toward smacking when responding to items framed in terms of supporting the legal rights of parents. This included the item replicating the 2009 referendum question. However, New Zealanders expressed less favourable attitudes toward smacking when assessed using a more general Likert-style item. Political conservatism, Big-Five personality and low education were the most reliable predictors of physical discipline attitudes. Ethnicity, immigrant status and level of poverty versus affluence were not significantly associated with physical discipline attitudes. Our findings suggest that the way the question was asked could have introduced differences into people's apparent level of support versus opposition toward the use of force to discipline children. The social policy implications of this work are discussed. © This material is copyright to the New Zealand Psychological Society