Violent Discipline and Parental Behavior: Short- and Medium-term Effects of Digital Parenting Support to Caregivers

Lelys Dinarte Diaz; Saravana Ravindran; Manisha Shah; Shawn  Powers; Helen Baker-Henningham

doi:10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105590

Violent Discipline and Parental Behavior: Short- and Medium-term Effects of Digital Parenting Support to Caregivers

Lelys Dinarte Diaz
, Saravana Ravindran
, Manisha Shah
, Shawn Powers
, Helen Baker-Henningham

School of Psychology & Sport Science

The World Bank
National University of Singapore
University of California, Los Angeles

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Approximately 75% of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide are regularly subjected to violent discipline. We study the impact of a digitally delivered intervention on positive parenting practices in Jamaica using a randomized controlled trial. Results show that the intervention improves caregiver knowledge (0.52 SD), attitudes toward violence (0.2 SD), and reduces caregiver violence against children (0.12 SD). Treatment children experience fewer emotional problems (0.17 SD). We also find reductions in caregiver depression (0.12 SD), anxiety (0.16 SD), and parental stress (0.16 SD) for treatment caregivers nine months later. The digital delivery has important scalable policy implications that could help decrease violence against children worldwide.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Public Economics
Volume	256
Issue number	4
Early online date	25 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105590
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

child maltreatment
violence against children
positive parenting
digital delivery

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abstract = "Approximately 75\% of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide are regularly subjected to violent discipline. We study the impact of a digitally delivered intervention on positive parenting practices in Jamaica using a randomized controlled trial. Results show that the intervention improves caregiver knowledge (0.52 SD), attitudes toward violence (0.2 SD), and reduces caregiver violence against children (0.12 SD). Treatment children experience fewer emotional problems (0.17 SD). We also find reductions in caregiver depression (0.12 SD), anxiety (0.16 SD), and parental stress (0.16 SD) for treatment caregivers nine months later. The digital delivery has important scalable policy implications that could help decrease violence against children worldwide.",

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AU - Powers, Shawn

AU - Baker-Henningham, Helen

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ER -

Violent Discipline and Parental Behavior: Short- and Medium-term Effects of Digital Parenting Support to Caregivers

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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