AMONG TRAITS OFTEN FOUND IN ABUSING PARENTS ARE A TENDENCY TO REVERSE ROLES WITH THE CHILD, DEVIATIONS IN PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT (E.G., FAILURE TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE AND PERSONAL IDENTITY), AND THE BELIEF THAT OUTSIDE HELP IS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR DESERVED. SOME INVESTIGATORS ARE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR REHABILITATING ABUSING PARENTS, BUT THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT MANY FAMILIES WHO COULD BE HELPED ARE NOT RECEIVING THE SERVICES THEY NEED. PROBLEMS COMMON IN ABUSED CHILDREN INCLUDE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, BEHAVIOR DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, FEAR AND ANXIETY, AND CHRONIC DEPRESSION. ABUSED CHILDREN LACK A NORMAL SENSE OF BASIC TRUST, WHICH EVENTUALLY PRECLUDES THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF LASTING RELATIONSHIPS AS ADULTS. IN PROVIDING PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TO ABUSED CHILDREN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE CARETAKERS IN THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS AND NOT TO TERMINATE THERAPY WHEN THE CHILD IS RETURNED HOME. SEVERAL PROBLEMS HAVE HAMPERED THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SERVICES FOR ABUSING FAMILIES: THE TIME REQUIRED FOR THERAPY TO BRING ABOUT BEHAVIOR CHANGES; THE LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY, SELF-HELP GROUPS, ADEQUATELY STAFFED TREATMENT CENTERS, AND FOSTER PARENT SERVICES; AND FACTORS (E.G., AGENCY PHILOSOPHY, LARGE CASELOAD, LACK OF TRAINING) LIMITING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR ABUSING PARENTS. THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN: (1) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO DEAL WITH ABUSING FAMILIES; (2) INTEGRATION OF DIAGNOSTIC AND ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL SERVICES WITH LONG-TERM, COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT PROGRAMS; (3) RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF SPECIALIZED VOLUNTEERS AND HOMEMAKERS TO ASSIST ABUSING FAMILIES IN SMALL, ISOLATED COMMUNITIES; AND (4) DEVELOPMENT OF A POOL OF FOSTER PARENTS TRAINED TO PROVIDE CARE FOR ABUSED CHILDREN. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. SUMMARY IN FRENCH. (LKM)