Four factors were considered in characterizing nursing home abuse: types of abuse, occupation of the accused offender, gender of the accused offender, and gender and age of the victim. Most of the reported acts of abuse were physical. The remaining acts were either sexual abuse, monetary abuse, or duty-related crimes (acts in which the employee misperformed specific occupational routines). All types of employees were involved in resident abuse, although nursing aides comprised the largest group. Of the 488 incidents, 307 (62.9 percent) involved a male employee and 181 (37.1 percent) involved a female employee. Males were victims in 174 incidents (56.7 percent), while females were victims in 133 incidents (43.3 percent). Four percent of victims were under 59 years of age, and the remaining victims were classified as elderly or disabled adults. Harm to victims and punishment given to offenders were important consequences of patient abuse. Gender, job pressures, and training appeared to be important variables in the offender's choice to engage in abusive activities. The authors conclude the presence of a witness, gender of the offender in relation to the victim, and job-related factors have important implications in the prevention of nursing home patient abuse. An appendix lists various acts committed by nursing home staff against elderly patients. 27 references, 2 notes, and 4 tables