A robust research literature links parental spanking with negative behavioral outcomes for children, however, it remains unclear whether conditions in the community may moderate the associations between spanking and behavior problems in early childhood. In the current study, we examined whether community violence exposure moderated the associations of maternal spanking with externalizing and internalizing behavior problems of young children. The sample used in this study was urban families and their children ages 3-5 (n = 2,472). We used fixed effects regression models, which yield stronger statistical control for baseline behavior problems, selection bias, and omitted variables bias. Mother's spanking was associated with elevated levels of both externalizing (β = .037, p < .001) and internalizing (β = .016, p < .001) behavior problems. Community violence exposure also predicted higher levels of externalizing (β = .071, p < .01) and internalizing (β = .043, p < .05) behavior problems. Community violence exposure did not moderate the associations between maternal spanking and behavior problems. Professionals working with families should promote the use of nonphysical disciplinary practices, regardless of the level of violence and crime in the community in which the family resides.

中文翻译：

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社区暴力暴露是否缓和了母亲打屁股和幼儿行为问题之间的关联？

一项强有力的研究文献将父母打屁股​​与儿童的负面行为结果联系起来，然而，目前尚不清楚社区条件是否会减轻打屁股与儿童早期行为问题之间的关联。在当前的研究中，我们检查了社区暴力暴露是否会减轻母亲打屁股与幼儿外化和内化行为问题的关联。本研究中使用的样本是城市家庭及其 3-5 岁的孩子 (n = 2,472)。我们使用了固定效应回归模型，它对基线行为问题、选择偏差和遗漏变量偏差产生更强的统计控制。母亲的打屁股与外化 (β = .037, p < .001) 和内化 (β = .016, p < .001) 行为问题的水平升高有关。社区暴力暴露还预测了更高水平的外化 (β = .071, p < .01) 和内化 (β = .043, p < .05) 行为问题。社区暴力暴露并没有缓和母亲打屁股和行为问题之间的关联。无论家庭所在社区的暴力和犯罪程度如何，与家庭打交道的专业人员都应促进使用非身体纪律处分。