A major international study that followed thousands of families across nine countries for 15 years — including families in the Philippines — has found that spanking children leads to greater anxiety and aggression over time, with no evidence of benefit under any cultural condition. The findings were presented by Ateneo de Manila University psychologist Dr. Liane Peña Alampay during an Ateneo Breakthroughs Lecture.
Alampay serves as the Philippine site lead of the Parenting Across Cultures (PAC) project, described as the largest multicultural long-term study of its kind. The research tracked approximately 4,500 families across China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States, following children from age 7 to 14. "In no instance does corporal punishment have positive effects," Alampay said during the lecture.
Findings Across All Nine Countries
According to Alampay, more frequent spanking consistently predicted higher levels of anxiety and aggression in children as they aged. While cultural acceptance of physical punishment softened the degree of harm observed, it did not eliminate or reverse it. Rejection, neglect, and hostility toward children were linked to emotional and behavioral problems that persisted across the full span of the study — from age 7 through 14.
Children who felt valued and accepted, the study found, were better protected against aggression, depression, and anxiety. Alampay noted that Filipino parents in the study reported some of the strongest authoritarian attitudes, emphasising strict obedience. She contrasted this with authoritative parenting — an approach that maintains clear rules while incorporating warmth, open communication, and consideration of the child's perspective.
"Discipline Is Not the Same as Pain"
Alampay said many Filipino households equate corporal punishment with discipline. "We need to discipline our children, but in ways that are not harsh or inflicting pain," she said. She stressed that the two concepts are not interchangeable.
The PAC study also identified a notable strength among Filipino participants: children who placed value on family responsibilities — such as helping at home and looking after siblings — later demonstrated more prosocial behaviour. Among Filipino participants, this sense of family obligation also appeared to buffer them from the effects of negative parenting practices.
Connection to School Violence
Alampay linked the roots of school violence to children's experiences both at home and in the classroom. She said harsh parenting, when combined with bullying and social exclusion at school, can leave distressed young people vulnerable to online communities that promote violent behaviour. "We need to make schools safe spaces, not just safe in terms of cameras and bag searches, but safe with a teacher, safe with classmates," she said.
Masayang Pamilya: A Parenting Support Programme
Alampay's research team developed Masayang Pamilya (MaPa), a Philippine adaptation of the Parenting for Lifelong Health programme. The programme equips caregivers with practical skills using model scripts, guided practice, illustrated stories, and stress management techniques. A randomised controlled trial involving young children showed reduced child maltreatment one year after the programme was administered.
The team is currently working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to scale up MaPa through family development sessions for conditional cash transfer beneficiaries, according to Alampay. She added that most parents do not deliberately choose harsh parenting. "We are also products of our history and how we were parented; it is all we know," she said, noting that parents who receive support show willingness to adopt new approaches.
The full lecture, titled "Parenting Across Cultures: Universals, Cultural Nuances, and Implications for Filipino Families," is available on Ateneo's YouTube channel.
Source: Ateneo de Manila University, Office of the Assistant Vice President for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation (OAVP-RCWI)