Data were collected between February and April 1987. Thirty-six percent of the sample had seen at least one incident of physical abuse in the preceding year. The most frequent type of physical abuse observed was excessively restraining a patient. Eighty-one percent of respondents had observed at least one psychologically abusive incident in the preceding year. The most frequent type of psychological abuse observed was yelling at a patient in anger. Staff who reported frequently thinking about quitting their jobs were more likely to commit abuse. Staff who tended to infantilize patients were also more likely to be abusive toward them. Persons who reported high levels of conflict were more likely to commit abuse. The data provide a preliminary profile of patient abuse in nursing homes. Abuse is sufficiently extensive to warrant public concern, since it is likely that some underreporting of abusive actions occurred. Findings on factors associated with abuse suggest some possible interventions. 5 tables, 54 references.