Research studies show that child abuse and neglect are significant problems associated with serious emotional and behavioral consequences which persist into adulthood. This study examined the relationship between a parental history of psychopathology and a childhood history of physical or sexual abuse, specifically it explored the association between a parental history of four major categories of psychopathology: major depressive disorder, mania, schizophrenia, and antisocial disorder and a childhood history of physical or sexual abuse. The study consisted of 8,548 respondents who participated in the Ontario Mental Health Supplement (OHSUP) and were interviewed regarding parental psychiatric history, as well as completing a self-report measure of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The findings underscored that a parental history of psychiatric disorder was associated with an increased risk of child physical and sexual abuse. However, the mechanism of this association was not provided. This is necessary in the development of approaches to assist families where the risk of child maltreatment is increased. References