In a family where physical abuse is occurring, the abusive adult may:

• have unrealistically high standards and expectations for himself/his children
• be rigid or compulsive
• be hostile and aggressive
• be impulsive with poor emotional control
• be authoritative and demanding
• fear or resent authority
• lack control or fear losing control
• be cruel or sadistic
• be irrational
• be incapable of child rearing
• trust no one
• believe in the necessity of harsh physical discipline
• accept violence as a viable means of problem resolution
• have an undue fear of spoiling the child consistently
• react to the child with impatience or annoyance
• be overly critical of the child and seldom discuss the child in positive terms
• lack understanding of the child’s physical and emotional needs
• lack understanding of the child’s developmental capabilities
• be reluctant or unable to explain the child’s injuries or condition or give explanations which are farfetched or inconsistent with the injury
• over or under react to the child’s injury
• not consent to diagnostic studies of the child
• have the child treated by a different hospital or physician each time the child needs medical attention
• fail to keep appointments
• perceive himself as alone, without friends or support
• view seeking or accepting help as a weakness
• be under pressure
• have an emotionally dependent spouse
• be engaged in a dominant-passive marital relationship
• have marital problems
• have been physically abused himself/herself