This study was conducted to investigate the correlation among uncertainty, mastery and appraisal of uncertainty in hospitalized children's mothers.

Self report questionnaires were used to measure the variables. Variables were uncertainty, mastery and appraisal of uncertainty. In data analysis, the SPSSWIN 12.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regression analysis.

Reliability of the instruments was cronbach's alpha=.84~.94. Mastery negatively correlated with uncertainty(r=-.444, p=.000) and danger appraisal of uncertainty(r=-.514, p=.000). In regression of danger appraisal of uncertainty, uncertainty and mastery were significant predictors explaining 39.9%.

Mastery was a significant mediating factor between uncertainty and danger appraisal of uncertainty in hospitalized children's mothers. Therefore, nursing interventions which improve mastery must be developed for hospitalized children's mothers.