This study examined the relationship between the intensity of parental punishment procedures and problem-solving attitudes and behaviors of mothers of young children in day care. A sample of 40 mothers (12 Mexican American, 15 white, and 13 black) were administered the Intensity of Parental Punishment Survey, the Problem-solving Inventory, and the Rational Behavior Inventory. The Parental Punishment Survey was scored for the External scale, with high scores indicating greater intensity of actual punishment. The Problem-solving Inventory and Rational Behavior Inventory were scored so high scores indicate successful problem-solving attitudes and behaviors, and rational beliefs. Analysis of variance of survey scores and racial/ethnic status, income, marital and employment statuses yielded no significant differences. When problem-solving scores of the 14 mothers with the highest and lowest scores on the punishment survey were compared by t test, mothers in the high intensity of punishment group had significantly lower scores on the measure of problem-solving attitudes and behaviors than mothers in the low group. A significant correlation was found between scores of problem-solving attitudes and behaviors and rational thinking.
