The research objective of the study involving 240 low socioeconomic status mothers was validation of the prevailing multifactor theory of child abuse and neglect which states that maltreatment results from personality characteristics of parents, children "at risk" due to preexistent deviancy, and environmental stress. Ss were measured on 12 variables of theoretical importance. A multiple discriminant analysis distinguished the neglecting mothers from other groups at the .005 level, primarily as a result of stress related variables. Approximately 12% of the discriminant space was explained on the basis of stress and personality clusters from the Michigan Screening Profile of Parenting. Predicted classification of all Ss from the derived discriminant functioning was 48% correct or approximately 13% better than chance expectancy. It was concluded that the proposed model of causal antecedants implicated in child maltreatment has relevance but is of limited explanatory power when applied retrospectively. (Author/SBH)