Cluster analysis revealed five distinct patterns which considered 81 of the 82 profiles submitted. Significant differences among the factors were found on 14 of the 16 personality factors. The first type was described as shy, withdrawn, apprehensive, sober and restrained; these parents were least well educated and had the most children. The second type of parent presented normal personality characteristics, had more education, and had fewer children. The third type was composed of compulsive, bold, dominant, and assertive people who tended to be manipulative in self- presentations, had high educational levels, and were older. Parents in the fourth cluster were passive and submissive, and came from families where both parents were abusive. The final group was isolated, suspicious, tense, apprehensive, and more likely to be psychologically disturbed. The results suggest that the 16-PF is an instrument potentially valuable to psychologists in their assessment of abusing parents and in their choice of appropriate interventions for a particular abuser and family. The results are limited, however, by the use of a small sample, the reliance upon the subjects' self-report, the narrow definition of physical child abuse used here, and the use of cluster analysis. 5 tables, 58 references, and 1 appendix