To identify parental predictors of child maltreatment, 1,400 prenatal patients were interviewed about their attitudes, experiences, and knowledge of childrearing. Interviews with mothers assessed (1) self-perception of mothers' nurturing as children; (2) personality factors of self-image, isolation, and tolerance to stress; (3) social support available from others; (4) positive and negative feelings about her own pregnancy; (5) knowledge of parent skills and philosophy about discipline; (6) alcohol, drug, and health problems in the family; (7) expectations concerning child development; and (8) the life stress of both mother and father. High-risk (HR) mothers were identified in a subsample of 200 mothers interviewed consecutively. To determine whether the interview could predict parenting disorders, the incidence of problems among HR mothers was compared to that in approximately 20 of low-risk (LR) mothers selected by random numbers. Nonorganic failure to thrive (NOFT) was monitored in HR and LR groups, and all mothers were followed for reports of abuse or neglect. To investigate parenting disorders of HR and LR families, 273 HR and 225 LR mothers were selected. Results indicated that the interview may be more effective in identifying families at risk for abuse than for identifying NOFT. Mothers' nurturing during childhood had the highest correlation with HR selection. (The prenatal parent interview and respondents' answers are appended.) (RH)