Psychosomatic mechanisms linking food insecurity with psychological distress among artisanal miners in Ghana

High levels of food insecurity (FI) and psychological distress (PD) continue to intersect in fragile, under-researched labor settings such as artisanal mining communities in Ghana. While the connection between food deprivation and poor mental health is increasingly acknowledged, the psychosomatic mechanisms that underlie this association remain poorly understood in low-income contexts. This study examines the association between FI and PD among artisanal miners in Ghana and explores the potential mediating role of psychosomatic factors in this association. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 664 adult miners. Fully adjusted regression models showed that FI was positively associated with higher levels of PD. Miners who were food secure (β = 0.340, CI = 6.397–8.203) or marginally food secure (β = 0.693, 95% CI = 12.507–14.377) reported significantly lower levels of PD compared to those who were food insecure. Bootstrapping estimates revealed that work-stress (24.46%), personal stress (∼2%), sleep problems (1.30%), physical exhaustion (∼1%), and comorbidities (∼1%) significantly and partially mediated the FI-PD association. These findings suggest that improving food access and addressing psychosomatic stressors may help mitigate psychological distress in this population.