This sample of adults is unique in that it was comprised of individuals who had been severely abused, had endured other insults such as failure to thrive and out-of-home placement, and had received no specific treatment. Structured interviews examined adult adaptation and stressors and supports during both childhood and adulthood. Of subjects, 15 were classified as abused, while 5 were unclassified (either not abused or classification uncertain). Of the 20 subjects, 6 showed serious mental and social deficits, including hospitalization, lack of employment, and reliance on others for most day-to-day needs; 7 showed a capacity to establish significant adult relationships but experienced some interpersonal problems and described themselves as lonely and isolated; and 7 showed relatively good adaptation. The abused subjects clustered in the first two groups, while the unclassified subjects clustered in the highest functioning group. Across both subsamples, there was an overall impression of emptiness: subjects showed an absence of spontaneity and enjoyment of life, mentioned few hobbies, and spoke in flat tones with a minimum of affect. 6 tables and 10 references.