Interesting question. I would suggest that those high on the personality traits of Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness, and very low on Agreeableness would be the most likely to be abusive. This would be an individual who is conflicted (ie, has many urges and impulses they are struggling to control) and has no problem striking out at others who may threaten or frustrate his/her needs. Such individuals may have an outsized "ego", thinking that they are superior to others (this may be a consequence of the high levels of neuroticsm and conscientiousness). There may also be low levels of Openness to Experience, especially on the feelings, actions, and ideas facet scales. Such individuals may not be very empathic nor have many strategies for dealing with stressful situations/people, thus causing more frustration leading to the strking out behavior. I think the domains of the five-factor model of personality would be a useful set of constructs to use for assessing such individuals and for determining their abusive potential.

Thank you. I am also wondering whether high hostility control isn't involved, a trait that has been identified with abusive priests - and a possible analogy for my end thesis re: this issue. However, so far none of the research I've found (which is scant) supports it. We shall see. Thank you for your well-thought response,

Hi, I would suggest that you use the lower level of analysis of the 30 Big 5 facets, because your question is very specific and the Big 5 domains too broad...have a look at the IPIP page for definitions and descriptions of the 30 facets and then you will have some ideas about which could be probable predictors...

Thanks much!

Hve you considered stress and paranoia for abrupt reactions, rudeness, etc. and pyschopathy with high narcisism for the sexual abuse?

Yes, these are all on the list...except paranoia. Good thinking.

sorry

Good luck