Food insecurity and depressive symptoms among miners in Ghana: The role of psychosomatic factors

Food insecurity (FI) is highly prevalent and increases depressive symptoms, particularly in low-resource labor settings. However, evidence on this association and its potential mechanisms remains limited among artisanal miners in low-income countries. This study (1) examines the association between FI and depressive symptoms among artisanal and small-scale miners in Ghana, and (2) explores whether psychosomatic factors mediate this association. Cross-sectional data were drawn from 664 artisanal miners aged ≥18 years. FI was measured using a nine-item adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS; score range: 0–27; α = 0.91), and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (α = 0.89). We used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and bootstrapping approaches to examine our hypotheses. The mean [SD] age of the sample was 28.95 [7.02] years, and 84.3 % were male. After adjusting for covariates, FI was significantly and positively associated with higher depressive symptoms scores (B = 0.16, 95 % CI [0.10–0.21]). Mediation analyses revealed that self-rated health (39 %), work stress (23 %), physical exhaustion (6 %), and work injury (5 %) significantly mediated the association between FI and depressive symptoms. The total mediation model explained 46.3 % of the variance in depressive symptoms. Findings highlight the central role of FI in shaping depressive symptoms among mine workers in Ghana, with psychosomatic factors explaining a significant portion of this association. Interventions targeting FI should also address occupational and psychological stressors to improve mental health outcomes in vulnerable labor populations. • What is the primary question addressed by this study? To what extent does food insecurity predict depressive symptoms among artisanal and small-scale miners in Ghana, and do psychosomatic factors mediate this association? • What is the main finding of this study? Food insecurity is a significant risk factor for depression among miners, with self-rated health, work stress, physical exhaustion, and work injury collectively explaining 73 % of the association. • What is the meaning of the finding? Addressing food insecurity alone is insufficient; effective interventions should also target occupational and psychosomatic stressors to reduce depression in vulnerable labor populations. • What is the novelty of this study? This is one of the first studies to investigate psychosomatic pathways linking food insecurity and depression among artisanal miners in a low-income country context.