Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with behavioral problems in children with atopic dermatitis.

Methods: The participants were parents of 145 children, 18 months to 6 years old who were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. The instruments used were; a self-reported questionnaire on Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5~5 (CBCL 15.5~5), Child rearing Behavior Questionnaire. Descriptive, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results: There was no statistically significant relationship with behavioral problems for gender, age, mother's age, mother's education level, family structure, duration of illness, or severity.

There were significant differences in internalizing (F=3.484, p＜.05) and externalizing problems (F=3.219, p＜.05) according to economic status. In bivariate analysis rejection-nonintervention parenting practice was significantly related to internalizing (r=0.455, p＜.001) and externalizing problems (r=0.412, p＜.001). However, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that only rejection-nonintervention parenting practice was significantly associated with internalizing problems (β=0.421, p＜.001) and externalizing problems (ß=0.376, p＜.001).

Conclusion: Children with atopic dermatitis who reported higher rejection-nonintervention parenting practice showed higher internalizing and externalizing problems more. Development of preventive and intervention programs with the goal of improving parenting skills may help to prevent and reduce behavioral problems of children with atopic dermatitis.