Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the parenting characteristics and problem behaviors of school-aged children living in poverty.

Methods: With a cross-sectional study design, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was utilized to collect data from 190 primary caregivers of children in low income families in one middle-size city in South Korea.

Results: Among the children`s characteristics, only school performance showed significant association with problem behaviors and children`s age and gender were not associated with problem behaviors. Among the primary caregivers` parenting characteristics, discipline style, rearing confidence, and concerns for their children showed significant association with problem behaviors for girls, but not for boys. Parenting attitude was not related to problem behaviors with either girls or boys.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the parenting characteristics of low income primary caregivers are important in children`s problem behaviors, especially for girls and parent education programs for child rearing, including methods of discipline for both boys and girls, are effective nursing interventions.