The analysis focused on the individual, family, and social characteristics of the children and their parents. Results revealed a poor personal and social adjustment of the children in the maltreatment groups and suggest that the definition of cases of maltreatment as not serious enough does not represent the psychological reality of these children. Discriminant analysis indicated that the most important variables for differentiating between the groups and the nonabused group were parents and children's perceptions of parental behavior, children's behavioral problems and personal adjustment, parents integration and satisfaction in the community, and the importance and direction of personal growth emphasized in the family. The importance of other variables such as socioeconomic status, stress, psychological symptoms, or number of children appeared to be a function of the different types of child maltreatment. Findings suggested the desirability of early interventions that use an informal approach and are less intrusive, thus avoiding the stigmatizing effects of labeling. Tables and 37 references (Author abstract modified)