Arab American Emerging Adults’ Ethnic Identity and Its Relation to Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

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.

The Impact of Ethnic Identity on Psychological Well-being and Perceived Discrimination among Arab Americans

“…A limited number of research studies that has examined Arab American ethnic identity suggests that ethnic identity plays a similar positive role in Arab Americans. For example, stronger ethnic identity was related to lower psychological distress and increased positive psychological functioning in a sample of Arab American emerging adults (Ahmed, Kia-Keating, & Tsai, 2011;Sheldon, Oliver, & Balaghi, 2015). Specifically, the only hitherto study that examined all three ethnic identity dimensions showed that affirmation and a sense of positive belonging to their ethnic group and higher level of exploration was related to greater sense of self-acceptance, and commitment to ethnic identity was associated with a greater sense of meaningful life in this population (Sheldon et al, 2015).…”

“…), self-esteem, and satisfaction with life (Diener et al, 2009). They have been used as indicators of well-being in other ethnic studies, which allows for comparison of the current study results with the existing literature on other ethnic minority groups (Sheldon et al, 2015;Umaña-Taylor et al, 2004).…”

“…Then, whether ethnic identity dimensions predicted psychological well-being in this population was explored. Previous research has illustrated the potential of ethnic identity in promoting self-esteem in ethnic minorities in general (Umaña-Taylor et al, 2004) and promoting feelings of self-acceptance and a sense of a meaningful life in Arab American individuals (Sheldon et al, 2015). As ethnic identity increases, psychological distress has been reported to decrease in Arab Americans as well (Ahmed et al, 2011).…”

“…Americans in relation to their psychological well-being. Sheldon, Oliver, and Balaghi (2015) found that Arab American adolescents with a greater degree of ethnic identity demonstrated a heightened sense of self-acceptance, as well as an increased sense of a meaningful life.…”

“…The limited body of research that examined Arab American ethnic identity found that individuals with a greater sense of ethnic identity displayed increased psychological well-being and were less likely to report experiences of discrimination than Arab Americans with a weaker sense of ethnic identity (Sheldon, Oliver, & Balaghi, 2015;Willems, 2012). After the terror attacks on 9/11, Arab Americans reported numerous resources and coping strategies that helped them navigate their way through adversity, one of which was an identity that was grounded in their familial relationships, religion, and culture (Betein & Allen, 2005).…”