In rapidly urbanizing African cities, the psychological toll of economic marginalization often remains unseen, yet it profoundly shapes the daily realities of vulnerable households. Grounded in this context, this phenomenological study investigates the lived experiences of psychological stress among low-income families in Accra Metropolis, Ghana. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with twelve informal sector workers, the research captures how persistent financial precarity translates into sustained emotional and cognitive strain. Thematic analysis revealed six interconnected dimensions of distress: persistent anxiety, depressive symptoms, chronic worry, fearful anticipation of the future, disrupted sleep patterns, and profound loneliness and social isolation. Aligned with the Family Stress Model, these findings illustrate how prolonged economic hardship initiates emotional distress that subsequently erodes family cohesion, relational dynamics, and occupational functioning. The study underscores a critical gap in urban social support systems, where the cumulative psychological burden of poverty remains largely unacknowledged and untreated. To bridge this gap, the research advocates for community-led mental health initiatives, inclusive economic empowerment programs, and the systematic integration of psychosocial care into primary healthcare delivery. Ultimately, recognizing and addressing the invisible stressors of urban poverty is essential to safeguarding family well-being and fostering resilient, equitable communities in Accra and comparable settings.
Adjei et al. (Thu,) studied this question.