Family communication and courageous coping in Korean adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigates the relationship between parent–adolescent communication (PAC) and the use of courageous coping (UCC) among Korean adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, examining family cohesion, uncertainty in illness, and hope as mediators. Using self-reported data from 144 Korean AYAs aged 11–26, the study found that better communication with both mothers and fathers was significantly associated with increased courageous coping, with family cohesion serving as a primary mediator. Further analysis indicated that decreased uncertainty and increased hope sequentially mediated the effect of family cohesion on courageous coping. These findings highlight the importance of fostering open parent–child communication to enhance family bonding, reduce illness-related uncertainty, and promote hope, thereby supporting healthier coping strategies in Korean AYAs with cancer.