Social comparisons among mothers of premature and full-term infants

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