Validation of the Dutch adaptation of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory

The validity of the Dutch adaptation of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory was investigated. On the basis of the ratings of the staff of a residential treatment center for adolescents with conduct disorders, two contrast groups (high versus low aggression) were formed. In all, 67 male adolescents participated in the study. The subscales of the inventory clearly discriminated between the two groups. A discriminant function analysis revealed that the inventory could correctly classify the subjects into aggressive and non-aggressive with 96% accuracy. The pattern of correlations between the inventory and an anger scale and a social desirability scale provide further support for the construct validity of the instrument.