The study compared a group of 62 new Israeli fathers of pre-term infants with a comparison group of 58 new fathers of full-term infants with respect to parental stress,depression symptoms,mastery,self- esteem and involvement with the child.

Findings indicated that fathers f pre-term infants had significantly greater stress and depres- sion scores and lower involvement rate with the child compared with fathers of the matching group.

No differences were found with respect to the fathers ’mastery and self-esteem.

New fathers of full- term infants,aged 30 years and more,had significantly higher self- esteem compared with fathers aged less than 30 years.

Findings are discussed with respect to practice in neonatal units.