THE SUBJECTS COMPLETED THE SOCIAL READJUSTMENT RATING QUESTIONNAIRE, INDICATING WHICH OF 43 EVENTS REQUIRING SOME FORM OF READJUSTMENT THEY HAD EXPRIENCED IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THEIR TROUBLE WITH THEIR CHILDREN. QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES WERE CONVERTED INTO LIFE CHANGE SCORES. THE MEAN SCORE FOR NONABUSERS WAS 124, WHICH DOES NOT INDICATE A LIFE CRISIS. FOR ABUSERS, THE MEAN SCORE WAS 234, WHICH INDICATES A MODERATE LIFE CRISIS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ABUSIVE PARENTS ARE COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE ROLE OF BEING CARED FOR. SUCH BEHAVIOR MAKES THE INDIVIDUAL PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO LIFE CHANGES, WHICH IN TURN PRODUCE STRESS. PREVENTION STRATEGIES AIMED AT REDUCING CHANGES AND STRESS MIGHT INCLUDE CRISIS-INTERVENTION SERVICES, MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT OR LACK OF OPPORTUNITY, HEALTH MAINTENANCE SERVICES, COUNSELING, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-LKM)