Comparing child outcomes of physical punishment and alternative disciplinary tactics: a meta-analysis

Meta-analysis of 26 studies comparing physical punishment with alternative tactics. Reported that "conditional" back-up spanking (used to enforce milder methods in 2-6 year-olds) did not show worse outcomes than alternatives, while severe or predominant physical punishment did. Included as a dissenting, methodology-focused counterpoint; later reviews reach more cautionary conclusions.