Despite Arab Americans’ increasing population in the United States, there is limited research concerning their psychological functioning. Ethnic identity (EI) has been found to positively predict the psychological well-being of various ethnic minority individuals. Therefore, in a sample of Arab American, emerging adult college students, we investigated how Phinney’s Multigroup EI Measure subscales (i.e., Other-Group Orientation (OGO), Affirmation & Belonging, EI Exploration, and EI Commitment) predicted components of the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (i.e., Self-Acceptance, Personal Growth, and Purpose in Life). Affirmation & Belonging positively predicted Self-Acceptance, EI Commitment predicted Purpose in Life, and OGO predicted Personal Growth. Additionally, EI Exploration negatively predicted Self-Acceptance. Findings were generally consistent with Social Identity Theory, Erikson’s theory, Phinney’s theory, and previous research. Results demonstrated the importance of studying components of Arab American emerging adults’ EI in relation to under-researched forms of psychological well-being.

Little is known about the epidemiology of DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder (IED) in adolescents and no information is currently available regarding the relationship between race/ethnicity and IED among Black youth in the US. Using the World Health Organization World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Adolescent Version), we estimated the prevalence, severity, and disability of IED in a national, probability sample of African American and Caribbean Black youth (ages 13-17) from the National Survey of American Life, Adolescent Supplement. Face-to-face surveys of 810 African American and 360 Caribbean Black youth were conducted between 2001 and 2003. We calculated lifetime and 12-month diagnoses of IED using diagnostic algorithms based on DSM-IV and assessed IED disability using a modified Sheehan Disability Scale. Overall findings indicated lifetime and 12-month IED prevalence rates of 9.2% and 7.0%, respectively. Lifetime prevalence rates of IED were 9.0 % for African American and 12.4% for Caribbean Black teens. Within the past 12 months 6.7% of African American and 11.5% of Caribbean Black adolescents met diagnostic criteria for IED. Lifetime and 12-month IED were associated with anxiety disorders. In addition, few teens with lifetime IED received any treatment. Findings are consistent with recent evidence that intermittent explosive disorder may be more common than previously considered, especially among adolescents. Significant acts of aggression and impairment are associated with IED and low treatment rates indicate that more research on this disorder and intervention options is warranted.