Abstract:
Alcohol consumption and its relation to mental health disorders is a major concern among considering young people who are still experiencing life cycle development such the pre-frontal brain development. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between alcohol consumption and depression among youths in Roysambu ward. The objectives of the study were to assess the gender differences in alcohol consumption among youths who consume alcohol; to determine the levels of depression among youths who consume alcohol; and to establish the relationship between alcohol consumption and depression among youths from Roysambu ward in Nairobi county Kenya. Descriptive correlational research design was used and a total of 103 participated in the study. Convenience sampling was used to select the respondents. Results of the study indicated that on average, the respondents had a mean of 6.35 (SD = 4.98). Statistical analysis established that there was no gender difference t(101) = - 0.243, p = 0.81 in alcohol consumption between males and females. Result on the depression showed that 21.4% of the respondents exhibited severe levels of depression, 17.5% had moderate depression, and 14.6% had border clinical depression and mild mood disturbance respectively. On average the respondents had a mean of 19.91 (SD = 13.55) borderline clinical depression according to Beck’s depression inventory. On the relationship between the study variables, the result of the study showed that there was no significant relationship (r = 0.006, p = 0.95) between alcohol consumption and depression among youths who consume alcohol from Roysambu Ward. This study recommended that the local administration and opinion leaders such as area chiefs, village elders, and youth leaders should continuously be engaged in sensitizing the youths on the risk of alcohol consumption and depression within the Roysambu ward. The county government should create rehabilitation centres within the wards where youths can seek psychological support.
