The study took place between 1991 and 1993 in a large southeastern public hospital. The participants who had generally negative relationships with their caretakers displayed more behavioral difficulties. Those with disruptions in their relationship with a primary caretaker and who felt powerless as a result of the abuse were rated as functioning less well overall by clinicians. The child's age, the general attributional style, and caretaker blame of the child were related to self-blame by the child. The clinical implications of these findings include the need to identify clients at high risk for negative consequences and the development of interventions targeted at specific clinical issues. 24 references (Author abstract modified)