Objective: The present study clarified factors related to mother-child communication openness when fathers suffer neurobehavioural sequelae after stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Research design: A cross-sectional study using self-report anonymous questionnaires was conducted.
Methods and procedures: Forty-one mothers with 6-22-year-old children participated. The questionnaire examined personal factors (mother's psychological distress), social/family factors (family support functioning), illness-related factors (father's time at home and neurobehavioural sequelae severity) and mother's perceived level of open communication. Multiple regression was used to analyse factors related to mother-child communication openness.
Results: Mother-child open communication was explained by family support functioning (β = 0.449), father's time at home (β = -0.325) and mother's psychological distress (β = -0.303). Neurobehavioural sequelae severity was not associated with mother-child open communication.
Conclusions: Personal, social/family and illness-related factors were related to mother-child communication about paternal illness. Professionals should promote optimal family support functioning, connect families with external resources and assess families' interaction processes.
Keywords: Behavioural symptoms; brain injury; cognitive impairment; family; stroke.