Vera Clemens1, Oliver Decker2, Paul L Plener3, Andreas Witt4, Cedric Sachser4, Elmar Brähler5, Jörg M Fegert4. 1. Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: vera.clemens@uni-ulm.de. 2. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Germany; Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. 4. Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Germany. 5. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Germany; Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Authoritarianism, firstly described by Horkheimer in 1936, is characterized by submission to authorities, aggression against subordinates and conventionalism. Authoritarianism is discussed as major contributor for right-wing attitudes. Horkheimer hypothesized that authoritarianism has its origin in the experience of harsh parenting and exposure to corporal punishment (CP) by authoritarian parents. The other way around, literature points towards an association between conventionalism and support of CP as disciplinary method, suggesting a role of authoritarianism in the vicious cycle of transgenerational transmission of CP. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association of authoritarianism, right-wing attitudes and affirmation of CP, focusing particularly the role of authoritarianism and right-wing attitudes in the transgenerational transmission of CP. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: In a cross-sectional survey, a representative sample of the German population above the age of 14 (N = 2524) was selected in a random route approach. RESULTS: Authoritarian aggression, authoritarian submission and conventionalism (OR 1.40) such as right-wing self-assessment (OR 1.39) are associated with an increased support of different forms of CP. Moderation analyses reveal an increasing affirmation of CP by those with a history of CP holding authoritarian attitudes and right-wing positions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a significant role for sociopolitical attitudes in the affirmation of CP and its transgenerational transmission. Sociopolitical ideology may be an important factor to identify risk groups, but furthermore represents a promising target for preventive interventions that aim to stop the cycle of violence in families, and, subsequently, the dire consequences of CP.
BACKGROUND: Authoritarianism, firstly described by Horkheimer in 1936, is characterized by submission to authorities, aggression against subordinates and conventionalism. Authoritarianism is discussed as major contributor for right-wing attitudes. Horkheimer hypothesized that authoritarianism has its origin in the experience of harsh parenting and exposure to corporal punishment (CP) by authoritarian parents. The other way around, literature points towards an association between conventionalism and support of CP as disciplinary method, suggesting a role of authoritarianism in the vicious cycle of transgenerational transmission of CP. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the association of authoritarianism, right-wing attitudes and affirmation of CP, focusing particularly the role of authoritarianism and right-wing attitudes in the transgenerational transmission of CP. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: In a cross-sectional survey, a representative sample of the German population above the age of 14 (N = 2524) was selected in a random route approach. RESULTS: Authoritarian aggression, authoritarian submission and conventionalism (OR 1.40) such as right-wing self-assessment (OR 1.39) are associated with an increased support of different forms of CP. Moderation analyses reveal an increasing affirmation of CP by those with a history of CP holding authoritarian attitudes and right-wing positions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a significant role for sociopolitical attitudes in the affirmation of CP and its transgenerational transmission. Sociopolitical ideology may be an important factor to identify risk groups, but furthermore represents a promising target for preventive interventions that aim to stop the cycle of violence in families, and, subsequently, the dire consequences of CP.
Authors: Ayline Heller; Oliver Decker; Bjarne Schmalbach; Manfred Beutel; Jörg M Fegert; Elmar Brähler; Markus Zenger Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2020-11-24
Authors: Ayline Heller; Oliver Decker; Vera Clemens; Jörg M Fegert; Scarlett Heiner; Elmar Brähler; Peter Schmidt Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-07-25
Authors: Ann-Christin Schulz; Christoph Kasinger; Manfred Beutel; Jörg M Fegert; Vera Clemens; Elmar Brähler Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2022-09-21 Impact factor: 5.435
Authors: Vera Clemens; Oliver Berthold; Andreas Witt; Cedric Sachser; Elmar Brähler; Paul L Plener; Bernhard Strauß; Jörg M Fegert Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 4.379