Researcher from the University of New Hampshire, who conducted this study, found a slower mental development in children who were spanked to correct their misbehavior.
Professor Murray Straus, lead author of the study, declared, "All parents want smart children. This research shows that avoiding spanking and correcting misbehavior in other ways can help that happen. The results of this research have major implications for the well being of children across the globe."
Study undertaken to assess IQ in spanked children
The researchers analyzed more than 1,500 children. They split them into two groups. The first group consisted of 806 children aged between two and four years and the second group was of 704 kids aged between five and nine years.
Both groups were retested four years later.
They found that IQ of the younger children who were spanked was an average of 5 points lower as opposed to those who were not spanked. The same trend was noted in the older children. Their IQ was 2.8 points lower than that of children who were not physically punished.
Researchers observed that over the period of four years corporal punishment had a bearing on the intelligence of the kids.
“How often parents spanked made a difference. The more spanking, the slower the development of the child's mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a difference," Straus said.
Analysis of global data on spanking
Straus and his colleagues also compared data from 32 nations on corporal punishment experienced by 17,404 university students when they were children.
The researchers found that the average IQ was lower in countries where there are high levels of physical punishment in comparison to regions where it has been banned.
The strongest link between physical abuse and intelligence was exhibited in students whose parents continued to use corporal punishment even when they were teenagers.
Prohibition of corporal punishment recommended
According to the researchers, spanking is linked with negative vibes.
Youngsters who are regularly spanked are traumatized, stressed, aggressive, terrified and easily startled. All these symptoms are associated with a lower IQ.
For many years now, many psychiatrists and sociological researchers have recommended the banning of physical punishment of children.
"It is ... time for the United States to begin making the advantages of not spanking a public health and child welfare focus, and eventually enact federal no-spanking legislation," said Straus.
The research results will be presented at the 14th International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, in San Diego, Calif.
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