en Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Original Research Original Research <p> <strong>Background:</strong> Having an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a stressful and painful experience. Unlike to normal births, this birth is associated with admission and separation of infant from parents. The aim of this study was to compile the supporting-emotional needs of Iranian parents who have a premature infant admitted in (NICU).</p><p> <strong>Methods:</strong> This study was performed using qualitative research approach. Twelve participants including 9 parents whose infant had been hospitalized in NICU two nurses and one physician were also selected for sampling purposes. Data were gathered using semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed by inductive content analysis approach.</p><p> <strong>Results:</strong> Four subcategories emerged from data analysis expressed supporting-emotional needs of parents of premature infants admitted in NICU. These subcategories were: Need for interaction with infant, Need to medical team’s empathy, need to exchange support with spouse, and Need to get help from others.</p><p> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> In order to develop mutual bonding with infant and attain parental roles, parents need to be close their neonate, also receive empathy and support to find a way to meet their needs. Participants in this study announced that resolving these needs can help parents to feel more confidence in infant's care and reduce their negative feelings.</p> Emotions, Parents, Premature infant, Content, Neonatal intensive care unit. 324 331 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-683&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Faranak Aliabadi faral9851@yahoo.com 200319475328460012794 200319475328460012794 No Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Kamali kamali.mo@iums.ac.ir 200319475328460012795 200319475328460012795 Yes Department of Rehabilitation Management, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Leili Borimnejad l.borimnejad@gmail.com 200319475328460012796 200319475328460012796 No Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Rassafiani mrassafiani@yahoo.com 200319475328460012797 200319475328460012797 No Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Rasti m.rasti.ot@gmail.com 200319475328460012798 200319475328460012798 No Narges Shafaroodi narges7@yahoo.com 200319475328460012799 200319475328460012799 No Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran. Foroogh Rafii frafii@iums.ac.ir 200319475328460012800 200319475328460012800 No School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reihaneh Askary Kachoosangy askary_ot@yahoo.com 200319475328460012801 200319475328460012801 No Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.