Page 58 - nhms2016 maternal and child findings

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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

In terms of education level of the mother and the father, only non-violent punishments were
highest among those with higher education, at 29.7% and 29.6% respectively. Psychological
aggression, any physical punishment and any violent discipline were highest among mothers
and fathers with no education background.

Mothers who work in the public and private sectors, were more likely to use only non-violent
discipline compared to mothers who are self-employed and housewives. Self-employed
mothers were more likely to use psychological aggression, any form of physical punishment
and any form of violent discipline compared to others. Fathers working in the private sector
had the lowest prevalence of only non-violent discipline at 25.5% and the highest use of
psychological aggression, any physical punishment and any violent punishment at 60.0%,
56.6% and 73.1% respectively.

There appeared to be no large difference in the use of only non-violent discipline among
household income groups. There was a higher prevalence in the use of severe physical
punishment among those whose household income is less than RM3000 compared to those
whose income is RM3000 and above. Households in the highest income quintile had the
highest use of psychological aggression at 60.4% and lowest use of severe physical
punishment at 3.7%. There was no large difference in the disciplinary methods used between
urban and rural respondents (Table 7.1.2.2).

7.2.2.2. Attitude

In Malaysia, 54.8% of parents and caregivers believed that physical punishment is needed to
bring up, raise or educate the child properly. There was no difference observed among Malays,
Chinese and Indian ethnicity. Other Bumiputeras, however, had the highest belief in the need
for physical punishment at 59.9%.

73.9% of permanent residents were found to believe that physical punishments are needed
compared to Malaysian and non-Malaysian citizens. Mothers who are single had a lower belief
in the need for physical punishment at 50.0% compared to married mothers at 54.6%. It was
seen that mothers with higher education and fathers with no education background had the
lowest belief in the need for physical punishment.

Mothers and fathers working in the public sector had the highest belief in the need for physical
punishment, at 56.5% and 55.4% respectively, compared to those working in private sector,
self-employed or unemployed. Households earning less than RM 1000 and households in the
lowest income quintile had the highest belief in the need for physical punishment at 60.0% and
57.8% respectively (Table 7.2.2.2)

7.2.3. Conclusion

A sustainable future is built on the basis of a healthy future generation. Negative experiences and
environmental influences early in life have been shown to adversely affect the learning, behaviour,
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physical and mental well-being of a child. There is a high use of violent disciplinary methods among
Malaysian parents. Single parents are more prevalent in using only non-violent punishment methods.
Only non-violent discipline is also more prevalent among parents with higher education. Households
with an income of less than RM 3000 are more prevalent in using severe physical punishment
compared to households earning RM 3000 and above. More than half of the parents still belief in the
need for physical punishment and this believe appears to be almost consistent among the three major
ethnicities, Malays, Chinese and Indians, in Malaysia. Households in the lowest income quintile have
the highest belief in the need for physical punishments towards children.