The aim of the present study was to characterize verbal contents expressed by preterm neonates' mothers during psychological support intervention. The sample was composed by 20 mothers of pre-term and very low birthweight neonates, hospitalized in NICU, allocated into two groups: 10 mothers with emotional clinical symptoms (MECS) and 10 mothers with no symptoms (MNECS), assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The verbal behavior expressed by mothers in the psychological support group was recorded, transcribed and categorized. The results show that three verbal categories were more frequent: negative feelings or reactions, followed by positive feelings or reactions and communication with the health staff. The comparison between groups reveals that MECS presented more expressions in the first category in comparison to MNECS. The identification of the feelings and reactions of pre-term neonates' mothers and emotional clinical symptoms should be included for appropriate intervention in developmental care in NICU.
verbal behavior; infant premature; anxiety; depression; intensive care units
