Prematurity: influence on mother's locus of control.

The aim of the present study was to compare the beliefs of mothers of term infants with the beliefs of mothers of preterm infants in regards to their locus of control mainly influencing their personal health and well-being. Mother's beliefs regarding the level of internal (self), social external (other individuals) and fatalistic external control (e.g. chance, destiny, and religion) were assessed while mothers were admitted to hospital postnatally. Thirty-five mothers of preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestation, and 35 mothers of term infants (≥ 37 weeks of gestation) were included and participated within the first three days after delivery. Between the group of mothers of term infants and the group of mothers of preterm infants there was a significant difference in the level of fatalistic external control of health and disease they experienced. Mother's beliefs regarding internal and social external control did not differ between the two groups. When dealing with the mothers of preterm infants one should consider their strong beliefs that health and disease are largely dependent on fatalistic external factors. This might help to improve mother-child interaction and as a consequence also neurobehavioral development of the preterm infant.