UAE experts warn physical punishment can affect children’s learning, emotional wellbeing

Children who experience physical punishment may be more likely to struggle academically and engage in risky behaviour as teenagers, according to a new University College London (UCL) study. Psychologists in UAE have warned that punishment such as smacking or slaps can also affect children’s emotional regulation, confidence and relationships.

The research examined data from around 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002, including information on physical punishment at ages three, five and seven. Among children in England whose records were linked to the National Pupil Database, those who experienced physical punishment at all three ages were 5.7 percentage points more likely not to achieve five GCSE grades from A* to C, including English and maths, than those who had not experienced physical punishment.

The study also found that 14-year-olds who had experienced physical punishment in early childhood were 33 per cent more likely to engage in risky behaviours towards others, including hitting, pushing, shoving and bullying.

However, the researchers stressed that the study is observational and shows an association rather than proving that physical punishment directly caused poorer grades or risky behaviour.

UAE psychologists said the findings are consistent with concerns around how fear and physical punishment can affect the way children learn, manage emotions and respond to conflict.

Dr Sneha John, a licensed psychologist at Medcare Camali Clinic Jumeirah, said children generally learn best when they feel safe and secure.

“When a child is worried about being hit or punished for making a mistake, their attention can shift from ‘What can I learn from this?’ to ‘How do I avoid getting into trouble?’” she said.

Repeated physical punishment can contribute to fear, anxiety and difficulties with emotional regulation, she added, potentially affecting concentration, confidence and motivation.

“A child who is afraid of getting something wrong may stop asking questions, avoid difficult tasks or give up quickly,” she said.

Dr John also said the findings around risky behaviour highlight the importance of what adults model for children.

“Children learn far more from what we model than from what we tell them,” she said. “If we tell a child, ‘You must not hit’, but then use hitting when we are frustrated with their behaviour, that can be a very confusing message.”

She stressed that this does not mean children who experience physical punishment will automatically become aggressive or engage in bullying, but said it can influence how they understand conflict and authority.

“They need to learn to say, ‘I am angry’, ‘I need some space’, ‘I don’t like what you did’ or ‘I need help’, rather than expressing difficult emotions through aggression,” she said.

Hiba Badawi, a psychologist, said physical punishment may also interfere with processes that are important for learning.

“Physical punishment raises cortisol levels in children and, unfortunately, this is closely related to learning,” she said. “With repeated physical punishment, working memory can be affected. Working memory is responsible for learning, attention, problem-solving, decision-making and processing information, which can ultimately reduce a child’s ability to learn.”Dr Amal Salem Basohaib, an internationally certified coach in family and social relations, said physical punishment can affect the psychological environment in which a child learns.