IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT AND QUALITY OF PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS ON HEALTH-COMPROMISING BEHAVIOURS IN SINGAPOREAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationships between childhood physical punishment and health-compromising behaviours (HCBs) such as disordered eating and problem drinking behaviours in Singaporean college students. 400 participants aged between 18-27 years of age were recruited from the National University of Singapore. Results showed that childhood maternal physical punishment was a risk factor for disordered eating behaviours and performing more HCBs, and that this relationship is fully mediated by perceived negative mother-child relationship. For problem drinking behaviours, only perceived justness of childhood paternal physical punishment was a significant predictor. Males were also more likely than females to display problem drinking behaviours. However, both maternal and paternal warmth were found not to moderate the relationship between childhood physical punishment and HCBs. Implications of these findings are further discussed.