The present study intends to compare the occurrences of anxiety and depression symptoms in mothers of premature infants and in mothers of term infants. It is a quantitative descriptive and transversal study. The sample (n=40) underwent screening assessment carried out as routine by the Psychology Service of a philanthropic hospital in the state of São Paulo with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Among mothers of premature infants, 75% showed clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety and 50% showed clinically meaningful symptoms of depression. However, among mothers of term infants, 65% didn't showed clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety or depression. Moreover, the superior average score obtained by the mothers of premature infants reached statistical significance. Therefore, the results reinforce, as suggested by the specialized scientific literature, that prematurity tends to have a negative impact on the health of a woman going through such situation.
Depression; Anxiety; Premature birth; Hospital psychology
