Although many people encounter these problems every day and do not abuse their children, a family history of abuse may increase the risk. I think there is also a lack of understanding of the child's development. During counseling sessions, parents are given information about what children are capable of doing. There may just be a lack of information, along with limited knowledge of how to deal with problems. One aspect that has interested me is the notion that parents think their kids are misbehaving just to get attention.
Children often figure out negative attention is better than no attention at all.
Parents also need to take a time out as well. Adults need to make sure the child is in a safe place and take a breather, stop and count to 10 or go sit in the bathroom for a minute or two and collect your thoughts. The time to discipline your child is not when you're angry. Society has changed and kids have changed along with it. What is considered abuse today may not have been 20 years ago.