"Parents hit their children because they think doing so will improve their behavior," Gershoff said.
"Unfortunately for parents who hit, our research found clear and compelling evidence that physical punishment does not improve children's behavior and instead makes it worse.".
Some studies in the review found mixed results, seeing some positive and negative effects associated with physical punishment.
Acting out by children who were physically punished occurred no matter the child's sex, race or ethnicity, the review found.
Seven of the studies Gershoff and her team reviewed examined the association between the frequency of physical punishment and a child's negative behavior over time.
Some 50% of parents reported spanking a child in 1993, but by 2017 that number was down to 35%, the study found.
"And you do that by calling them out on their behavior and its consequences and then help them figure out how to resolve those consequences. »
