<p>This study aimed at describing the profile, risk factors, disciplinary practices and reasons for aggressions of 40 Brazilian mothers who used corporal punishment (CP) against their children. Data were collected through a structured interview and analyzed by Multiple Correspondence Analysis and qualitatively. Results show that participants faced several risk factors, such as low education and income, history of childhood CP, Intimate Partner Violence and sexual victimization at some point in life. Child disciplinary practices involved psychological and physical aggression, especially threats (95%) and slapping (70%). Participants justified their acts due to nervousness and not as a correction for inappropriate child behavior. Most mothers reported feeling sad and sorry after the episodes, demonstrating their urgent need for expert guidance on positive parenting and mental health treatment.</p>