Corporal Punishment and Associated Factors Among School‐Going Adolescents of Chandragiri Municipality, Kathmandu District, Nepal: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Despite legal prohibitions, corporal punishment remains widely practiced in schools and is associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes among adolescents. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of corporal punishment and associated factors among school-going adolescents of Chandragiri Municipality, Kathmandu District, Nepal. Methods: < 0.05. Results: A high proportion of students (84.2%) reported experiencing corporal punishment, with pulling and pinching being the most common. Among students who reported experiencing corporal punishment, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 43.5%, 60.3%, and 14.7%, respectively. Corporal punishment was significantly associated with school type and academic performance. Students in private schools had higher odds of experiencing corporal punishment (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.26-4.82). Reported physical harm among students who experienced corporal punishment was significantly associated with age and academic performance. Students aged 10-13 years were less likely to experience physical harm compared to those aged 14-19 years (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.05-0.94). Students with low (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.48-5.49) and medium (OR = 7.12, 95% CI: 1.73-12.82) academic performance had higher odds of physical harm. Depression was higher among males (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-3.65) and private school students (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.39-4.01). Anxiety was higher among older adolescents (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.28-0.97) and private school students (OR = 4.39, 95% CI: 1.81-6.74). Stress was also higher among private school students (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.24-10.01). Conclusion: Corporal punishment was highly prevalent among adolescents in Chandragiri Municipality. Physical effects of corporal punishment were common, with most students reporting pain and a smaller proportion reporting physical harm. Depression, anxiety, and stress were also common among students who reported experiencing corporal punishment. Targeted interventions are recommended, including teacher training on positive discipline, academic support for low- and medium-performing students, age-appropriate mental health services, and gender-sensitive counseling to reduce the risk of corporal punishment and promote student well-being.