Background and purpose: living in a single-parent family can lead to some disorders and affect their progress and prognosis. For this reason, investigating the behavior problems in these children has significant importance. Current study aimed to compare students of single-parent and two-parent families in terms of their behavior problems.

Method: Current research was an Ex-Post Facto research. 100 single-parent elementary school students (50 girls and 50 boys) were selected using convenience sampling method from schools of Tehran (under the coverage and support of Imam Khomeini Committee). In addition, 100 two-parent elementary school students were selected using clustering sampling method from schools of Tehran. Data were collected using Ruther children questionnaire, and analyzed using ANOVA.

Results: Results of multivariate analysis of variance showed that single-parent students have significantly more behavior problems comparing to two-parent students. Students, who were raised by a single parent, showed higher levels of aggression-hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, antisocial behaviors, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. In addition, findings indicated significant gender difference between boys and girls; in another words, girls showed higher levels of anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorder.

Conclusion: Children experience more behavior problems in single-parent families - in which father is not present or cannot manage the family due to physical or mental disorder.