Antenatal Anxiety among Expectant Parents: Associations with Partner Anxiety, Social Support, and Marital Distress

Abstract Introduction: Antenatal anxiety is a significant, underexplored mental health concern, particularly among expectant fathers. Its associations with social support, marital distress, and maternal anxiety remain inadequately studied. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 160 expectant parents (80 mothers, 80 fathers) attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary care hospital in western India. Standardized tools were used: The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses examined associations between antenatal anxiety, social support, marital distress, and sociodemographic factors. Results: Clinically significant anxiety (PASS ≥26) was prevalent in both mothers (83.8%) and fathers (76.3%). Mothers with higher social support reported lower anxiety ( r = −0.236, P = 0.035), and better marital adjustment correlated with greater support ( r = 0.313, P = 0.005). Maternal anxiety was negatively associated with dyadic stability, which independently predicted anxiety ( P = 0.043). In fathers, paradoxically, greater social support correlated with poorer marital adjustment ( r = −0.245, P = 0.028). Unplanned pregnancy and joint family living were significant predictors of paternal anxiety, while previous normal deliveries in wives were linked to elevated paternal social anxiety. Conclusion: High prevalence of antenatal anxiety was observed in both parents, with distinct correlates by gender. Maternal anxiety was shaped by social support and marital stability, while paternal anxiety was linked to contextual stressors such as unplanned pregnancy and family structure. Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive perinatal mental health interventions in India.