The aims of the present study were: (a) to compare two groups of mothers differentiated by the presence of clinical emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression, in respect of verbal reports about their premature infants; (b) to verify the relation between verbal reports and variables of mothers' characteristics, infants' neonatal health history, and distressful life events. The sample was composed by 60 mothers, allocated into two groups: 30 with emotional clinical symptoms (ECSM) and 30 with no symptoms (NCSM). The mothers were assessed by SCID-NP, STAI, and BDI and were interviewed by an interview-guide. The medical chart was also reviewed. Both groups reported predominantly positive expectations and concepts about the babies. Otherwise, MCES reported more negative reactions and feelings than MSES. Lower birthweight, lower gestational age and higher length-stay NICU hospitalization were associated with negative expectations, reactions, and feelings of the mothers.
preterm infants; anxiety; depression; verbal report
