Predictors of harsh parenting practices in parents of children with disabilities

International research indicates that children with disabilities are more exposed to negative parenting than their non-disabled peers. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are likely operating at the levels of the individual child, the family and the broader social context. The present study investigated harsh parenting practices using self-report data from Swedish parents of children with disabilities (30 mothers and 14 fathers) and control parents (145 mothers and 25 fathers). Sweden provides an interesting context for the current research since it has outlawed physical punishment of children, displays comparatively small gaps in socio-economic circumstances and has implemented an extensive welfare system addressing the needs of children with disabilities and their families. There was no difference in harsh parenting practices between parents of children with disabilities and control parents. However, more fathers of children with disabilities than control fathers admitted use of violence at least once. Within the group of parents of children with disabilities, child disruptive behaviour problems predicted harsh parenting practices. Socio-economic disadvantage did not predict harsh parenting practices and possible explanations for this absent finding are discussed. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.