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Abstract
Abstract. Despite corporal punishment being associated with negative developmental outcomes for children, it is commonly practiced in Malaysian courts, schools, and homes. This study examined the relationships among the Dark Tetrad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism), anger rumination, and attitudes toward corporal punishment of children. Two hundred sixty-three participants from a university and community sample in Malaysia completed measures of attitudes toward child corporal punishment, the Short Dark Tetrad, and the Anger Rumination Scale. Participants also answered questions about whether they received corporal punishment at home and school as children. Correlation analyses showed that Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism were positively associated with acceptance of corporal punishment. Further regression analyses revealed that having received corporal punishment at home – but not at school – during childhood as well as trait Machiavellianism and sadism predicted accepting attitudes toward corporal punishment. Identifying factors that influence people’s attitudes regarding corporal punishment and discipline behaviors could yield new insights into parenting education programs and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li Chung
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, UK
| | - Cheng Ean Tay
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Adeline Zhi Qian Gan
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Celine Shi Ning Tan
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
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