Psychological correlates of two measures of coronary-prone hostility

The psychological correlates of the Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale and independent behavioral ratings of hostility were compared in a sample of adult, middle-aged male participants from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Twin Study. Although the Ho Scale and behavioral ratings of hostility purport to measure the same construct, the underlying correlational pattern for each was quite different. Scores on the Ho Scale were associated positively with anxiety, neuroticism, and the tendency to "fake good"; behavioral hostility was related to measures of dominance, vigor, and self-confidence. Some correlates, such as the hard-driving and speed and impatience subscales from the Jenkins Activity Survey, represent a core set of correlates common to both. The meaning of hostility must be clarified before this construct's link to coronary heart disease can be defined.