This paper reports an effort to classify parents of abused children according to existing and new typologies derived from parents' psychopathological personality profiles. Several previously reported typologies for abusive parents are reviewed and elaborated. In addition, reference is given to data and insights gained from an ongoing study of 50 abusive parents separated from their children as a result of child abuse. Parents receiving favorable prognoses were classified as being rigid-compulsive, as experiencing identity/role crises, or as being typified by displaced abuse/violence. Parents whose abusive behavior was a function of extremely maladaptive resolutions of major life issues were found to be hostile-aggressive, passive-dependent, or severely mentally ill. Prognoses for these three groups were considerably more guarded. The finding of a relatively high incidence of hostile-aggressive fathers and passive-dependent mothers of children in a residential program for severely abused children is suggested as an explanation for some of the pathology of children in the program. Classification schemes such as the one described are seen as helpful for treatment planning and permanency planning for abusive parents and abused children. It is also suggested that typological analyses based upon principal personality characteristics and dynamics may aid in formulating primary and secondary child abuse prevention procedures and programs. (Author/RH)