Parenting Styles & Tips: Punishments Are Effective If Done Properly, Says Study

Researchers presenting at the recent 123rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association say that punishment, including timeouts, are effective in disciplining children if done correctly.

"...Scientifically supported parenting interventions for young defiant children have found that timeouts and other types of assertive tactics can work if they're administered correctly," presenter and researcher, Robert Larzelere, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University, said at a symposium, as told in a press release from the American Psychological Association (APA). 

Larzelere's team conducted a study on 102 mothers, who had provided detailed descriptions of discipline they used on their children for unwanted behavior like hitting, whining, defiance, negotiating and not listening

They found that timeouts were most effective when the kid was acting defiant or hitting.They also found that a moderate use of timeouts and other punishments led to the improved behavior of defiant children.

In another presentation, Ennio Cipani, Ph.D., of National University, said timeouts don't work or are viewed negatively because they are not used properly. He and his colleagues have been able to observe the mistakes that parents can make in applying timeouts as part of their discipline routine. 

An example of such mistakes parents making "spur-of-the-moment" discipline decisions. Cipani says that parents should tell their kids beforehand as to what behaviors will merit them a timeout and always follow through with it.

In his material, "Punishment on Trial", Cipani talks about the effectivity of punishment and reinforcement, and how it affects a child's emotional development.

"Our clinical case findings, have shown that timeout used consistently for select behaviors and situations significantly reduced problem behaviors over time" Cipani adds, per the APA.

"Claiming punishment does not work is akin to claiming airplanes cannot fly," Cipani wrote, as reported by Healthline.

"Anyone who claims that punishment does not work is either unaware of the numerous studies that have demonstrated the efficacy of punishment or chooses to ignore them," he adds.

Per APA, David Reitman, Ph.D., of Nova Southeastern University, and Mark Roberts, Ph.D., of Idaho State University, presented information on the Hanf method of parenting, which allows for an initial stage of positive discipline and eventually moves into a more authoritative mode of parenting.

"Therapists can help parents understand the problem, facilitate changes in the environment, and help the children acquire the skills they need to become successful," said Reitman.

"Allowing the child a second chance to comply with parent instructions by offering a warning for noncompliance has proven beneficial. The number of timeouts during initial therapy declines, while the necessity and effectiveness of timeout remains," Roberts said via APA.