Where Do Perceived Norms Supporting Child Corporal Punishment Come From? A Study of Low-Income Parents

Although the influence of perceived norms on health behavior has been well researched, the sources of normative perceptions remain understudied. Drawing on the theory of normative social behavior, this study investigated factors shaping descriptive norms associated with child corporal punishment amo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health communication 2024-05, Vol.39 (5), p.915-926
Main Authors: Duong, Hue Trong, Sirohi, Akansha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Childhood experiences
Children
Communication
Corporal punishment
Discipline
Health Behavior
Humans
Intention
Interpersonal communication
Low income groups
Norms
Parents
Parents & parenting
Path analysis
Personal communication
Punishment
Social Behavior
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Although the influence of perceived norms on health behavior has been well researched, the sources of normative perceptions remain understudied. Drawing on the theory of normative social behavior, this study investigated factors shaping descriptive norms associated with child corporal punishment among a sample of low-income Black, Hispanic, and White parents (N = 260). Hierarchical regression results showed that childhood experiences of corporal punishment, direct observation, and interpersonal communication valence were significantly associated with descriptive norms. Path analysis confirmed the direct association between descriptive norms and behavioral intentions, as well as the mediating role of descriptive norms in linking the norm sources and behavioral intentions. Results also revealed that interpersonal network size and interpersonal communication valence jointly affected descriptive norms among parents who talked to others in their proximal networks about applying this disciplinary measure. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
ISSN:1041-0236
1532-7027
1532-7027
DOI:10.1080/10410236.2023.2193754