Risk factors for severe child discipline practices in rural India

Objectives: To determine the type and severity of discipline practices in r ural India and to identify risk and protective factors related to these pra ctices. Methods: Five hundred mothers, ages 18-50, participated in face-to-face int erviews as part of a cross-sectional population-based survey. One of the mo ther's children was randomly selected as the referent child. The interview focused primarily on discipline practices and spousal violence. Sociodemogr aphic characteristics, neighbor support, residential stability, and husband 's drinking behavior were also assessed. Results: Nearly half of the mothers reported using severe verbal discipline and 42% reported using severe physical discipline. While common, severe di scipline practices occurred less frequently than moderate practices and had different risk factors, notably low maternal education and spousal violenc e. Conclusions: Results suggest that increased formal education for rural wome n in India may have the added benefit of reducing family violence, includin g spouse and child abuse.