Background: Psychological morbidity among individuals attending outpatient department (OPD) services remains an under-recognized public health concern, particularly in tertiary care healthcare settings. Factors such as chronic illness, financial burden, overcrowding, prolonged waiting time, and psychosocial stress may contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress among hospital attendees. Early identification of psychological morbidity is essential for improving patient centered healthcare delivery and overall quality of care.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 203 adult participants attending OPD services at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Maharashtra. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and clinical variables. Psychological morbidity was assessed using the validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 (DASS 42). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied to assess association and predictors of psychological morbidity. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 33.07 ± 10.51 years, with majority belonging to the 18–29 years age group (42.9%). Females constituted 51.7% of the study population. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were observed among 28.6%, 31.5%, and 23.2% participants respectively. Anxiety emerged as the most common psychological morbidity. Severe-to-extremely severe anxiety, depression, and stress were observed among 18.2%, 12.3%, and 9.9% participants respectively. Majority of participants with illness had disease duration exceeding three months (68.2%). No statistically significant association was observed between psychological morbidity and age group, gender, occupational status, or work timing (p >0.05).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a considerable burden of psychological morbidity among participants attending OPD services at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Maharashtra. The findings emphasize the need for routine psychological screening and integration of mental health support services within outpatient healthcare settings to ensure comprehensive and holistic patient care.

KEYWORDS: Psychological Morbidity, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Outpatient Department.