During a 14-year follow-up study, abused children who survived & grew up as well-adjusted individuals were compared with a matched group who show a high degree of psychosocial pathology. Variables which distinguished the two groups are given. Lazarus’ model of stress & coping is used to show how children utilize personal & situational characteristics to survive & avoid future psychological & developmental damage. Implications for treatment & therapeutic assignments are indicated. 15 Refs. (LH)