Socialization factors include demographics and a childhood history of abuse. The biological factors related to abusive behavior are neurological and neuropsychological characteristics, physiological reactivity, and physical health problems. The literature identifies seven cognitive and affective factors: self-esteem and ego-strength; locus of control; perceptions, attributions, and evaluations of child behavior; expectations of child behavior; life stress and distress; depression; and other personality factors. The behavioral characteristics of perpetrators involve alcohol and drug use, social isolation, parent-child interactions, and parental discipline strategies. The authors emphasize that interventions must be tailored to individual perpetrator characteristics, taking into consideration factors from other ecological levels. 113 references (Author abstract modified)