positively with VIR Hostility (.64), VIR Bitterness (.24), and MMPI Negativism (.54). As well, the total BDHI-D
scores correlated positively with all nine of the SCL-90 psychopathology subscales ranging from .13 to .43 (for
Depression), and with VIR Hostility (.60), VIR Bitterness (.51), and MMPI Negativism (.57) (see Lange et al.,
1995). Also, the BDHI has been found to correlate positively with measures of trait anxiety ( Matthews & Saal,
1978) and with other self-report measures of anger/hostility/aggression (ranging from .40 to .70) ( Matthews,
Jamison, & Cottington,1985 ).
Divergent/Discriminant
As evidence of divergent/discriminant validity, in the Dutch validation study, negative correlations ( N538)
were found between the BDHI-D Covert Aggression component and MMPI Extraversion ( /C0.12), the NPV
(Luteijn, Starren, & Van Dijk, 1975 ) Dominance ( /C0.21), and Crowne and Marlowe’s (1960) Social Desirability
Scale (/C0.37). In addition, the BDHI-D Overt Aggression component exhibited negligible correlations with each of
the nine SCL-90 psychopathology subscales (ranging from /C0.30 to .15), and also correlated negatively with Social
Desirability ( /C0.44). As well, negative correlations were found between BHDI-D total scores and MMPI
Extraversion ( /C0.07), NPV Dominance ( /C0.19), and Social Desirability ( /C0.55) (see Lange et al., 1995 ). Also, Biaggio
(1980) reported that the BDHI Total score correlated negatively ( /C0.56) with the Marlowe /C0Crowne Social
Desirability Scale. Biaggio et al. (1981) further reported mostly negative correlations (ranging from .09 to /C0.38)
between the BDHI Total and the Personal Incidents Record (a record of all incidents which provoked anger).
Construct/Factor Analytic
As evidence of construct/factor analytic validity, Buss and Durkee (1957) reported the results of an explor-
atory factor analysis using Thurstone’s (1947) centroid method on separate relatively small samples of male
(N585) and female ( N588) undergraduates, respectively. Two factors were extracted. For both the men and
women, the first factor loaded significantly on BDHI subscales: Resentment (.59 and .57) and Suspicion (.66 and
.54), respectively. Likewise, for both men and women, the second factor loaded significantly on BDHI subscales:
Assault (.54 and .61), Indirect Hostility (.40 and .48), Irritability (.57 and .47), and Verbal Hostility (.63 and .49),
respectively. For women, there was also a significant factor loading on the BDHI Negativism subscale. The two
factors represented emotional anger/hostility, and aggressive behavior, also described as Neurotic hostility and
Expressive hostility ( Bushman et al., 1991; Felsten & Leitten, 1993; Siegman, Dembroski, & Ringel, 1987 ) (see
PMBC website). As Biaggio (1980) had previously indicated, ‘Factor analysis produced two factors: an attitudinal
component of hostility (Resentment and Suspicion subscales) and a ‘motor’ (Expressive) component (Assault,
Indirect Hostility, Irritability, and Verbal Hostility subscales)’ (pp. 289 /C0290). A meta-analysis of the many BDHI
factor-analytic studies has been carried out and it is evident that the BDHI measures both affective and behav-
ioral components of anger/hostility and aggression, respectively ( Bushman et al., 1991 ).
Criterion/Predictive
As evidence of criterion/predictive validity, Lange, Dehghoni, and De Beurs (1995) reported that BDHI scores
are predictive of aggressive behavior. Also, according to the PMBC website (see link above): (1) BDHI Expressive
hostility scores appear to relate to central serotonergic depletion ( Cleare & Bond, 1997; Coccaro et al., 1989 );
(2) During interpersonal stress, Expressive hostility scores are predictive of cardiovascular reactivity ( Felsten &
Leitten, 1993; Siegman, Anderson, Herbst, Boyle, & Wilkinson, 1992; Suarez & Williams, 1990 ); (3) Expressive
hostility scores are predictive of coronary disease among patients younger than 60 years ( Siegman, 1994;
Siegman et al., 1987 ); and (4) Both BDHI Assault and Irritability scores are reduced in individuals following SSRI
ingestion (Knuston et al., 1998). In addition, Musante, MacDougall, Dembroski, and Costa (1989) reported that,
‘The BDHI has been related (a) to behavioral measures, including shock administration and role-playing
responses to anger-provoking circumstances; (b) to greater perception of violence in binocular rivalry technique;
and (c) to expert ratings of aggressiveness’ (p. 346).
Location
Buss, A. H., & Durkee, A. (1957) . An inventory for assessing different kinds of hostility. Journal of Consulting
Psychology , 21, 343-349.
Results and Comments
The BDHI was the first major multidimensional measure of anger/hostility/aggression. It has been in use for
over five decades, and has been used in thousands of research studies. The stability of the BDH over varying77 MEASURES REVIEWED IN DETAIL
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS