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Violent discipline and parental behavior: Short- and medium-term effects of digital parenting support to caregivers

Lelys Dinarte-Diaz et al.

Journal of Public Economics2026https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105590article
AJG 3ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Approximately 75% of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide are regularly subjected to violent discipline. We study the impact of a digitally delivered intervention on positive parenting practices in Jamaica using a randomized controlled trial. Results show that the intervention improves caregiver knowledge (0.52 SD), attitudes toward violence (0.2 SD), and reduces caregiver violence against children (0.12 SD). Treatment children experience fewer emotional problems (0.17 SD). We also find reductions in caregiver depression (0.12 SD), anxiety (0.16 SD), and parental stress (0.16 SD) for treatment caregivers nine months later. The digital delivery has important scalable policy implications that could help decrease violence against children worldwide. • RCT of a digitally delivered intervention on non-violent parenting in Jamaica. • Content was delivered through SMS, an app, and online group parenting sessions. • Document ITT improvements in caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. • Findings show reductions in caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress nine months later. • Scalable policy implications could help decrease violence against children worldwide.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105590

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@article{lelys2026,
  title        = {{Violent discipline and parental behavior: Short- and medium-term effects of digital parenting support to caregivers}},
  author       = {Lelys Dinarte-Diaz et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Public Economics},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2026.105590},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.