Received July 23, 2020
Accepted January 28, 2021

Background: Becoming a mother is the process innate and without any culture-dependent instruction. While it is a pleasant experience, but sometimes it can be associated with problems resulted from baby caring. Preterm birth, including those that It can be a challenge for the maternal role adaptation (MRA). So, the present study was conducted to determine the maternal role adaptation in mothers with preterm neonates. Method: The present study is a cross-sectional study. The study sample included 114 mothers of preterm infants in the NICU. The data were collected by means of a two-section questionnaire. The first section was a demographic questionnaire and the second section was a standardized questionnaire “Maternal role adaptation scale in mothers with preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units” (MRAS: NICU). Statistical analysis was conducted by descriptive and inferential statistical methods using SPSS 21 software. Result: The total score of MRA was strong in half of the participants. Participants with a university education, employed and satisfied with their economic status had a high score on adaptation to the maternal role. Different domains of the MRA, the highest score was allocated to the participation in care (56.24 + 0.13) and the lowest score was allocated to the growth and development (3.12 +0. 28). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the most important factors related to MRA are the mother’s age, education, and economic satisfaction. Determining the factors related to the mothers' adoption of premature infants can increase the ability of mothers to cope with problems and negative emotions and enhance the adoption of maternal roles.