Association Between Mothers' Life Satisfaction, Happiness and Child Discipline Practices: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Survey.

Abstract

Mothers' happiness, life satisfaction, and their perception of effective child-rearing can influence the disciplinary methods they employ with their children. This study examines the association between mothers' life satisfaction, happiness, the belief in physical punishments and the disciplinary measures their children receive. Nationally representative data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Bangladesh 2019 was analyzed. The study factors were subjective happiness and life satisfaction and the belief that physical punishments are needed for the proper upbringing of their children. The outcome variables were four domains of disciplinary measures-non-violent, psychological/verbal aggression, moderate physical, and severe physical punishments-that the children experienced in the month prior to the survey. We conducted multivariable logistic and ordinal regressions. The mean happiness score for mothers was 2.99 (range: 0-4) and the life satisfaction score was 5.58 (range: 0-10). Almost 35% of mothers believed that physical punishments were necessary to raise and educate a child properly. Almost 90% of children experienced at least one form of psychological/verbal disciplinary measure. Nearly 60% experienced one or more forms of moderate physical punishment, while 30% experienced at least one form of severe physical punishment. There were significant linear negative associations between the study factors and their children receiving at least one disciplinary measure from each of the four domains. The higher the happiness or life satisfaction, the smaller the odds for children experiencing disciplinary measures from all three violent domains. Happiness and life satisfaction are determined by various personal and structural factors. Improving these factors in Bangladesh, where average national happiness is relatively low, will take time. However, prohibiting violent punishments in all settings and raising awareness of the negative impact of violent disciplinary measures on child development are achievable targets in the short term.