Risk factors

Factors that may increase a person's risk of becoming abusive include:

• A history of being abused or neglected as a child
• Physical or mental illness, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Family crisis or stress, including domestic violence and other marital conflicts, or single parenting
• A child in the family who is developmentally or physically disabled
• Financial stress, unemployment or poverty
• Social or extended family isolation
• Poor understanding of child development and parenting skills
• Alcohol, drugs or other substance abuse