This study was done to investigate stress and coping methods of mothers with brain disease children. The subjects for this study were obtained by taking a sample of mothers with brain disease children hospitalized in neurosurgery ward of K medical center in Seoul from Nov. 20, 1992 to Mar. 10, 1993. The collected date were analized by S.P.S.S. program( frequency, percentage, mean, t-est, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation). The results of the study were as follow. 1. The mean of the degree of mothers' stress was 3.681. Of the stress categories, illness treatment (4. 216) was highest, and the next were in order of illness status and prognosis(4.154), family relationships and personal roles (3.202), interpersonal relationships (2.916). 2. The mean of the degree of mothers' coping method was 2.930. Of the coping method categories, communication with medical team or parents in similar situations(3.332) was highest, and the next were in order of family cooperation and optimistic thought about the situation(3.241), reforcement of self esteem and maintenance of psychological stability(2.538). 3. There was not seen a stastically significant correlation between stress factors and coping methods of mothers. But with categories, the higher the stress to illness status and prognosis was, the hight coping methods' degree of communication with medical team or parents in similar situations was shown a positive correlation, if not high (r=.2776, P=.046). And the higher the stress to illness treatment was, the higher coping methods' degree of communication with medical team or parents in simial situations was shown a positive correlation, if not high (r=.2727, P=.049). 4. With the difference of stress according to mothers' general characteristics, religion and monthly income shew a statically significant difference. The mothers' group who have a religion shew the higher degree of stress(t=-3.17, P=.003), The group who get the most income shew highest degree of stress(F=.4693, P=.0156). With the difference of coping according to mothers' general characteristics, the most supporting person, satisfaction with husbands and mothers' own health status shew a statistically significant difference. The group who get the most support from parents-in-law(F=3.7508, P=.013), the group who are much satisfied with husband(F=3. 589, P=.016), and the group whose health status are good (F=3.3675, P=.046), shew the highest coping degree. 5. There were no significant difference in degree of stress and coping by children's characteristics The significance of the study will be concluded as follows. 1. Investigating the stress factors, which mothers are perceiving, it will be utilized as the basic materials of nursing plan so as to reduce the stress of mothers. 2. In searching for the ways of mothers' more helpful coping methods, it shows the necessity of the active nursing intervention for the mothers in the process of coping with their stress. That is, the nurse should serve the earnest nursing as counselor, supporter, educator, and information-provider. 3. Recogning mothers as well as children with brain disease as a client, the nurse will be able to help the mother, who is taking care of the children, cope with the stress situation well, and to make a contribution to the recovery, rehabilitation, and health of the children and to the enhancement of the family health.