Psychosocial Correlates of Prenatal Depression and Anxiety Among Fathers from Tribal Communities in India: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Expectant fathers may experience psychological distress during pregnancy, yet evidence on paternal mental health among tribal populations in India remains scarce. This study assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, psychological well-being, perceived social support, and their psychosocial correlates among tribal expectant fathers. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 tribal expectant fathers in Attappady, India. Data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were defined using PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of ≥5, respectively. Univariate logistic regression and multivariable Firth’s penalized logistic regression examined factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Spearman’s rank-order correlation assessed relationships among psychological outcomes. Results: Depressive symptoms were reported by 17.5% of participants, anxiety symptoms by 10.0%, and poor psychological well-being by 40.0%. Seasonal migration (AOR = 7.15, 95% CI: 1.93–26.52) and financial debt (AOR = 4.87, 95% CI: 1.30–18.25) were associated with depressive symptoms. Planned pregnancy was associated with lower odds of anxiety symptoms, whereas previous pregnancy loss was associated with higher odds. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were negatively correlated with psychological well-being and perceived social support. Conclusions: Depressive and anxiety symptoms and poor psychological well-being were present among tribal expectant fathers. Father-inclusive screening and psychosocial support addressing socioeconomic stressors may help meet paternal mental health needs in underserved tribal communities.