Hair Pulling in a Diverse College Sample‪.‬

McCarley, Spirrison, and Ceminsky (2002) reported on the prevalence of hair pulling behavior among an ethnically diverse college student sample and noted that African Americans reported higher rates of hair pulling a) that resulted in noticeable hair loss and b) in response to skin irritation. The current study considered the data of 95 African American and 221 non-African American college students and found that 9.3% of the sample indicated that they engaged in hair pulling that resulted in noticeable loss, a finding which is generally consistent with McCarley et al. However, data analyses noted no significant ethnic differences pertaining to hair pulling that a) resulted in noticeable hair loss, or b) was secondary to itch or inflammation. Methodological differences may in part account for the differing results. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR), trichotillomania is diagnosed by the following criteria: a) the recurrent pulling out of one's hair which results in noticeable hair loss; b) an increase in tension prior to pulling out the hair or when resisting the behavior; c) relief or pleasure while hair is being pulled; d) the behavior is not the result of another mental disorder or general medical condition; and e) the behavior produces significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).