Smacking young children has long-lasting effects

Children who have adverse experiences such as being smacked at the age of three are more likely to suffer from poor mental health and have behavioural problems through to age 14, according to a study led by UCL researchers. Children who have adverse experiences such as being smacked at the age of three are more likely to suffer from poor mental health and have behavioural problems through to age 14, according to a study led by UCL researchers. The study, published in the journal Child, Abuse and Neglect investigates the long-term effects of 'adverse childhood experiences' (ACEs) on children between the ages 3 to 14 and builds on previous evidence by UCL researchers which led to the smacking ban in Scotland last year. Researchers say this new study adds more weight to calls to provide children in England with legal protection from smacking and physical punishment. The research team analysed responses from a sample of over 8,000 members of the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) - a longitudinal survey following a nationally representative of 19,000 children born in the UK in 2000-2001. Data was provided at six points throughout the participants' childhoods at the age of 9 months, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 years of age. Parents* were asked about how often they smacked their children or what they did when their children were naughty, such as sending them to their room or shouting at them.