A study was made of the repetition of child abuse. (This repetition is sometimes referred to as recurrence or recidivism). The central feature of the research strategy was a followup on a group of families cited for abuse, conducted to determine the degree to which abuse had recurred or had been discontinued and to assess the conditions associated with these behaviors. To accomplish this, two activities were undertaken. One activity provided for analysis of existing records relating to the families' abusive treatment of their children. The other consisted of interviews of heads of families about the situation at the time of the initial abuse citation and about the parents' background, particularly with respect to child rearing practices the parents had themselves experienced. An interview instrument and case record review procedures were developed, the child abuse literature was examined, and an instrument was designed to assess hypotheses regarding antecedents of abuse. A total of 328 families residing in two Pennsylvania counties participated in the study. Data analysis initially focused on the recurrence or discontinuation of abuse; the relationship between indicators of recurrence and possible causes of recurrence were then examined. Finally, the effectiveness of services in reducing or preventing the recurrence of abuse was assessed. (Numerous results are discussed, and implications for protecting children are pointed out.) (RH)