Attitudes toward spanking children among Japanese hospital employees: The impact of being hit in childhood

A history of being hit in childhood was associated with more positive attitudes toward spanking among Japanese hospital workers, showing early experiences' lasting impact. Medical training did not affect attitudes toward corporal punishment, as indicated by the lack of a significant difference with the hospital's administrative staff. Targeting high-risk groups may help reduce spanking in these groups and in families who visit hospitals. Further research is necessary to investigate potential lags in attitude change after the national ban on corporal punishment.