The antecedents of child abuse and neglect are best explained under the ecological model proposed by Garbarino, which encompasses individual parent and child characteristics, marital and parent-child interactions, and environmental influences. Underlying emotional abuse is the absence of a positive parent-child bond. This emotional deprivation can produce in the child aggressiveness or hyperactivity, the expression of indiscriminate affection, withdrawal, lack of self-awareness, an undeveloped conscience, and power struggles. Although emotional maltreatment cannot be precisely defined, it most often takes the form of verbal abuse, emotional neglect, and harassment. Aspects of emotional maltreatment include unrealistic parental expectations, parental use of the child for personal gratification, and punishment for positive behaviors. Children's temperamental characteristics, such as adaptability and self-confidence, affect their response to emotional maltreatment, along with family makeup and achievement skills. Some means of preventing the emotional maltreatment of children are perinatal support programs, parent education, periodic childhood screening and treatment, social skills training for children and young adults, and family support services. Suggestions are offered for enhancing a child's self-esteem and forging a positive parent-child bond. Chapter notes and bibliographies.