In an effort to understand the emotional impact of abuse, many studies have been conducted to investigate the type of emotional problems suffered by abused children and to identify variables which may make them susceptible to damage. For example, studies have correlated emotional problems with age at which abuse occurred and with the type and severity of abuse. Still others have examined the impact of parent/child relationships on the disciplinary situation and on the child's later emotional development. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize these findings and others regarding some of the emotional damage that young children may suffer as a result of physical abuse and/or neglect. A brief summary of the psychological consequences of child abuse, particularly in the child's first 5 years of life, introduces a more in-depth discussion of the attachment relationship and the possible impact of child abuse on this relationship and on emotional well-being. Information gleaned from this discussion is used to hypothesize interventions to help prevent child abuse. (MP)