Journal article
Mental health distress, perceived stress, and subjective health status in informal mining: Evidence from artisanal miners in Ghana
Geopsychiatry, Vol.3, pp.1-10
06/2026
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Abstract
Objective: Anxiety and depressive symptoms are important yet under-recognized mental health concerns in informal labor sectors in Africa. However, their association with perceived physical health in high-risk occupational settings such as artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) remains poorly understood. This study examined the associations between depressive and anxiety symptoms and self-rated health (SRH) among ASM in Ghana, and explored whether perceived stress and sleep problems may help explain these associations.
Methods: We recruited 664 ASM (mean age = 28.8 years, SD = 8.2; males = 84.3%) from Ghana. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. SRH was measured using the MOS SF-36 SRH item, and perceived stress was assessed using the PSS-4. Multivariable linear regression and bootstrapped mediation models were used to examine direct and indirect associations. We also examined whether the anxiety symptoms –SRH association differed by age group.
Results: Nearly 40% of the sample reported suboptimal SRH. Depressive symptoms (B = .321, p < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (B = .431, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poorer SRH after full adjustment. Notably, the anxiety symptoms ─SRH association was more marked among older miners (36+ years) compared to their younger counterparts. Perceived stress partially mediated both associations, accounting for 13.4% of the total effect of depressive symptoms (B = .100, 95% CI [.035, .167]) and 11.4% of the effect of anxiety (B = .064, 95% CI [.026, .106]).
Conclusions: Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer self-rated health among artisanal and small-scale miners in Ghana. Perceived stress may partly account for these associations. The relationship between anxiety symptoms and self-rated health appeared stronger among older miners. These findings underscore the relevance of mental health in shaping perceived health in informal occupational settings and suggest that stress-related factors may be important targets for intervention.
Details
- Title
- Mental health distress, perceived stress, and subjective health status in informal mining: Evidence from artisanal miners in Ghana
- Creators
- Emmanuel Nyaaba - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyPrince Ntesewu - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyBetty Nanewortor - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyLilian Pomaah Adu - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyMerien Salifu Kanton - Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development StudiesLawrence Guodaar - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyRazak M. Gyasi - African Population and Health Research Center
- Publication Details
- Geopsychiatry, Vol.3, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 991013373632202368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article