Parental discipline and aggression in Singaporean adults : the role of a parental care and overprotection

Abstract

The link between parental discipline and aggression in children is a well-established one. However, studies largely focus on maternal corporal punishment, ignoring the role of fathers and other types of punishment. There is also a lack of research on the disciplineaggression link in Singapore. This paper aims to examine the associations between parental discipline (nonviolent, psychological, and physical) and aggression (physical, verbal, anger, hostility, indirect) in a Singapore sample, while considering covariates like age, gender, social adversity, and ethnicity. The role of parental care and overprotection as moderators in the relationship between discipline and aggression is also examined. The Buss-Warren Aggression Questionnaire, Parent-Child Conflicts Tactics Scale, and Parental Bonding Instrument were used with a Singapore adult sample (n = 231). Contrary to previous research, nonviolent discipline by both parents was positively associated with aggression. Evidence of differential parenting across parents emerged for physical and psychological discipline. Maternal discipline was positively associated with all aggression subtypes, while paternal discipline was positively associated with hostility and indirect aggression. Significant moderating effects for paternal care and overprotection emerged in the relationship between parenting and aggression, but no significant moderating effects of maternal care and overprotection were observed. Results suggest that mothers could consider adopting more positive discipline methods, and fathers should continue to play an integral role in parenting.