Journal article
Unpacking the mechanisms linking generalized anxiety symptoms and global subjective health status among artisanal miners in Ghana
Geopsychiatry, Vol.3, pp.1-10
06/2026
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Abstract
Background and objectives: Anxiety symptoms is a prevalent psychiatric symptom among artisanal miners in low- and middle-income countries, yet its implications for perceived health status remain poorly understood. This study examined the association between anxiety symptoms and self-rated health (SRH) among artisanal miners in Ghana and assessed the mediating roles of perceived stress and depressive symptoms in this link.
Methods: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Ghana among 664 artisanal miners (mean age = 29.1 years, SD = 7.8; 83.7% male) aged ≥18 years. Anxiety symptoms was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, while SRH was measured using five items adapted from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Multivariable ordinary least squares regression, and mediation analysis (using PROCESS macro, model 4) were fitted to test associations.
Results: After full adjustment, higher generalized anxiety levels were positively and significantly associated with suboptimal/poor self-rated health (B = 0.45, p < 0.001). This significant association was evident in both miners aged ≥36 years (B = 1.61, p < 0.001) and those in the 18–35 age group (B = 0.54, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses indicated that perceived stress (9.2%) and depressive symptoms (24.7%) partially explained the association between generalized anxiety symptoms and miners’ perceived health status.
Conclusions: Generalize anxiety symptoms is a significant determinant of perceived health status among artisanal miners in Ghana, possibly operating through stress and depressive symptomatology. Targeted mental health interventions addressing anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms are therefore essential to improve miners’ wellbeing and occupational health outcomes in Ghana and related contexts.
Details
- Title
- Unpacking the mechanisms linking generalized anxiety symptoms and global subjective health status among artisanal miners in Ghana
- Creators
- Emmanuel Nyaaba - University of British ColumbiaBernard Bieniyir Meela - Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development StudiesJohn Akumka - University of GhanaLawrence 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 BV
- Identifiers
- 991013376480102368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article