A preventive intervention program based on self-help groups for parents reinforced by the involvement of veteran parents, those who had a premature infant during the past 12 months, and professionals to provide support and information was evaluated. Sets of randomly selected parents (N=35) met weekly in a small group of four to six couples during the first six months of their premature infant's life with the veteran mother and an experienced neonatal nurse. Other couples (N=35) receiving routine care served as a control group. Group parents exhibited a very positive response and high attendance. Group and control parents were compared on: (1) number and duration of hospital visits and telephone calls to the nursery; (2) a psychiatric interview assessing parenting ability; (3) objective ratings and parental attitudes towards hospitalization and their caretaking role; and (4) direct observation of parents and infants during parental nursery visits and during the first three months at home. Preliminary results indicate that group parents make more hospital visits, call to inquire about their infants more, and are more comfortable in their caretaking role. (Author)