Social Comparisons Among Mothers of Premature and Full-Term Infants

Abstract

Based on theoretical and empirical evidence from social comparison theory and premature birth, we examined whether mothers of premature infants differ from mothers of full-term infants in use of social comparisons or psychological adjustment. The sample consisted of 42 mothers of premature infants and 42 mothers of full-term infants. The groups differed in relation to state anxiety but not overall adjustment. Mothers of premature infants made more comparisons, and those comparisons were predominantly downward. Their adjustment was associated with more favorable ratings of their infants relative to the 'typical" premature baby and preference for information about mothers who were coping somewhat better than they were.