Factors Associated with Violent Disciplinary Practices Against Children: Using General Structural Equation Modeling

Document Type : Original Article

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Central Agency of Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS)

Abstract

Violent disciplinary practices, including the use of physical punishment and psychological aggression by parents and caregivers, are widespread in Egypt. Therefore, understanding the economic and social factors associated with these practices is essential to reduce their use against children, given their negative short- and long-term consequences for children's health and development. This paper aims to identify the direct and indirect factors that influence children's exposure to violent disciplinary practices by parents or caregivers, as well as the impact of mothers' or caregivers' exposure to violence on their use of violent disciplinary practices with children. The study relied on data from the 2021 Egyptian Family Health Survey. Generalized structural equation modeling was used, and the results showed that a high percentage of families use all forms of punishment. It also revealed that child gender, school enrolment, and maternal exposure to violence are direct factors in children's exposure to violence, while wealth is an indirect factor. The study concludes that integrated strategies must be adopted to protect children and mothers and provide the necessary material and psychological support to reduce the prevalence and impact of these practices.

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