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Potential for hostility and dimensions of anger.
L Musante1, J M MacDougall, T M Dembroski
1University of Tampa.
Summary
Potential for Hostility, a measure linked to heart disease, is associated with anger expression and experience. This finding aids in understanding hostility assessment and its health implications.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Potential for Hostility (PFH) from the Structured Interview (SI) is linked to coronary artery disease.
- This association is independent of the global Type A behavior pattern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the construct validity of PFH ratings.
- To correlate PFH with established anger and hostility measures.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analysis between PFH and 21 scales from four anger/hostility inventories.
- Factor analysis of the 21 scales to identify underlying anger dimensions.
Main Results:
- PFH significantly correlated with scales measuring anger awareness and arousal, especially verbal anger expression.
- Factor analysis identified 'Experience of Anger' and 'Expression of Anger' as key dimensions.
- PFH correlated with 'Expression of Anger' in a two-factor solution and with both 'Experience of Anger' and 'Expression of Anger' in a three-factor solution.
Conclusions:
- PFH validity is supported by its relationship with specific anger dimensions.
- Findings suggest PFH reflects aspects of anger experience and expression, relevant for hostility assessment.
- Further research can refine hostility assessment for cardiovascular risk evaluation.