Research findings regarding the use of corporal punishment towards children has examined a number of different outcomes. Some reviews of the literature suggest that corporal punishment may lead to adverse child outcomes (Gershoff, 2002; Linke, 2002; Smith et al., 2004). For example, in a review of the research, Smith et al. (2004) reported a number of negative developmental consequences for children who had experienced corporal punishment, including: disruptive and anti-social behaviour; poor academic achievement; poor attachment and lack of parent-child warmth; mental health problems (particularly internalising problems such as depression); and substance and alcohol abuse.
Research has shown that corporal punishment is effective in achieving immediate child compliance. However, Gershoff (2002), Smith et al. (2004) and others have argued that the benefits associated with immediate child compliance can be offset by findings that indicate corporal punishment fails to teach a child self-control and inductive reasoning. Instead, corporal punishment teaches a child to avoid engaging in behaviour that is punishable by way of force while in an adult's presence (in contrast to teaching a child not to engage in the undesirable behaviour at all). In addition, Linke (2002) argued that corporal punishment teaches a child that problems can be addressed through physical aggression.