The Relationship between Alcohol use Disorder and Suicidal Ideation among Male Emerging Adults: A Case Study of Selected Camps in Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Abstract

Refugee populations continue to face rising suicidal ideationstemming from prolonged displacement, economic hardship, and social disruption. Young men in particular are vulnerable to both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicidal ideation, yet these issues are often addressed separately in humanitarian settings. This study examined the relationship between alcohol use disorder and suicidal ideation among male emerging adults in Kakuma and Kalobeyei Refugee Camps, Kenya. Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the Self-Medication Hypothesis, and Emerging Adulthood Theory, the study employed a convergent mixed methods design to explore the prevalence, interrelationship, and mediating factors linking the two conditions. Findings revealed that over half of participants, 217 (56.8%), were classified under the “increasing risk” level of alcohol use, while 158 (41.4%) were in the “low-risk” category, and only 2 (0.5%) showed possible dependence. Alcohol use increased with age and was highest among participants aged 24–25 years, the unemployed, and those without formal education. Risky drinking was also more common among participants from South Sudan and Uganda. In relation to suicidality, 24 (6.3%) reported passive ideation, 14 (3.7%) active ideation, 4 (1.0%) suicidal intent, and 3 (0.8%) prior attempts. Though overall suicidality levels were low, certain subgroups, particularly younger and unemployed men, showed heightened vulnerability. Correlation analysis revealed that trauma and mental health (r = .145, p = .005), cultural and social factors (r = .105, p = .041), and economic and environmental stressors (r = .169, p = .001) significantly mediated the link between alcohol use and suicidality. However, no direct correlation was found between AUD and suicidal ideation, suggesting that psychosocial and contextual factors, such as trauma, poverty, and limited support, play stronger intermediary roles. Overall, the findings underscore that while alcohol use alone may not directly predict suicidality, the convergence of displacement-related stressors amplifies risk. The study recommends targeted interventions addressing trauma recovery, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support to reduce harmful drinking and prevent suicide among refugee youth.