Understanding Adult Attitudes Toward Corporal Punishment in Honduras: The Role of Sex, Gender Roles, Education, Childhood Experiences, and Psychopathy

Abstract

Corporal punishment (CP) remains a contentious issue in child-rearing debates, with varying opinions influenced by cultural, educational, and personal experiences. This study investigates the impact of sex, educational level, witnessing domestic violence, and experiencing physical and psychological abuse during childhood on adults' attitudes toward CP. In addition, it explores the mediating roles of stereotypical gender roles and psychopathy in these relationships. Four hundred fifty Honduran adults completed an online survey. Of the total sample, 66.67% were female. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected through self-reported questionnaires previously validated. 49.78% of participants reject slapping as a necessary disciplinary method, and 50.67% oppose legalizing parental use of force. However, a minority still considers spanking effective (24.66%). Mediation analysis shows that childhood psychological abuse significantly reduces support for CP, while psychopathy and stereotypical gender roles increase it. Females exhibit lower levels of psychopathy and adherence to traditional gender roles, which mediates their reduced support for CP. In addition, childhood physical abuse indirectly decreases CP endorsement through its influence on gender role beliefs. Educational level does not, directly or indirectly, predict attitudes toward CP. However, despite its medium effect size, the model only accounts for 16.7% of the variance in CP attitudes. Overall, being female and reporting childhood physical and psychological abuse significantly reduce support for CP, whereas witnessing domestic violence increases it. Despite the influence of these factors, other unexamined variables may also play a role.