Maternal depression linked to smacking of children

New research published in the Archives of Diseases in Childhood looked at more than 13,000 mothers and their children.

Researchers from the US found one in four of the mothers who were not depressed or exposed to violence smacked their children.

But one in three of those who were either depressed or exposed to violence smacked their children. This figure rose to one in two for those who experienced both depression and violence.

Mothers who had violent arguments with their partners were nearly 50 per cent more likely to use smacking as a form of discipline and mothers with depression were nearly 60 per cent more likely to smack.

And researchers said the findings remained the same regardless of the child's behaviour.

"The use of smacking as a form of discipline remains hotly debated, even among paediatricians," the authors said.