PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN-AMERICAN MOTHERS - LINKS TO CHILDRENS EXTERNALIZING BEHAVIORS

The aim of this study was to test whether the relation between physica l discipline and child aggression was moderated by ethnic-group status . A sample of 466 European American and 100 African American children from a broad range of socioeconomic levels were followed from kinderga rten through 3rd grade. Mothers reported their use of physical discipl ine in interviews and questionnaires, and mothers, teachers, and peers rated children's externalizing problems annually. The interaction bet ween ethnic status and discipline was significant for teacher- and pee r-rated externalizing scores; physical discipline was associated with higher externalizing scores, but only among European American children . These findings provide evidence that the link between physical punis hment and child aggression may be culturally specific.