Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI)

The BussDurkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a widely used psychological assessment tool that measures a person‘s level of hostility. It was developed by Drs. Arnold Buss and Marion Durkee in the 1950s and has since been used by psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to assess a person‘s level of aggression and hostility. The BDHI is a selfreport questionnaire that consists of 44 items that measure a person‘s level of hostility in three different categories: verbal aggression, physical aggression, and anger. Each item is rated on a fivepoint scale ranging fromnot at all tovery much.” The total score obtained from the BDHI is then used to determine a person‘s overall level of hostility. The BDHI has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of hostility. It has been used in numerous research studies to assess the level of hostility in different populations, such as adolescents, college students, and adults. It has also been used to measure the level of hostility in different clinical populations, such as those with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. The BDHI is a useful tool for mental health professionals as it can provide valuable insight into a person‘s level of hostility and aggression. It can also help to identify potential risk factors for violence and aggression, which can be addressed through appropriate intervention and treatment. Overall, the BussDurkee Hostility Inventory is a reliable and valid measure of hostility that can be used to assess a person‘s level of aggression and hostility. It is a useful tool for mental health professionals and can provide valuable insight into a person‘s risk for violence and aggression.

The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a self-report measure of hostility that was developed by Arnold Buss and Marion Durkee in the 1950s. The BDHI has been used extensively in research and clinical settings to assess a person’s level of hostility, which is a personality trait characterized by anger, resentment, and aggression. The BDHI consists of 75 items that are divided into 8 subscales: Hostile Attitude, Indirect Hostility, Verbal Hostility, Physical Hostility, Resentment, Irritability, Suspicion, and Antisocial Attitude.

In this article, we review the development, psychometric properties, and clinical applications of the BDHI. We also discuss the limitations of the BDHI and suggest directions for future research.

Introduction:

Hostility is a personality trait characterized by anger, resentment, and aggression. Hostile individuals are more likely to experience negative emotions, such as anger and frustration, and to engage in aggressive behavior. Hostility has been linked to a number of negative outcomes, including heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety.

The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) is a self-report measure of hostility that was developed by Arnold Buss and Marion Durkee in the 1950s. The BDHI has been used extensively in research and clinical settings to assess a person’s level of hostility.

Development of the BDHI:

The BDHI was developed based on Buss’s theory of hostility, which states that hostility is a multidimensional construct that includes three components:

  • Hostile Attitude: Negative thoughts and feelings about others, such as anger, resentment, and distrust.
  • Indirect Hostility: Covertly aggressive behavior, such as passive-aggressive behavior or spreading gossip.
  • Direct Hostility: Overtly aggressive behavior, such as physical violence or verbal abuse.

The BDHI was designed to measure all three components of hostility. The items on the BDHI were selected based on their ability to assess these components.

Psychometric Properties of the BDHI:

The BDHI has good psychometric properties. It has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. The BDHI has also been shown to be sensitive to change over time.

Clinical Applications of the BDHI:

The BDHI is a useful tool for assessing hostility in clinical settings. It can be used to diagnose anger disorders, such as intermittent explosive disorder, and to assess the risk of violence. The BDHI can also be used to track changes in hostility over time in response to treatment.

Limitations of the BDHI:

The BDHI has a few limitations. One limitation is that it is a self-report measure, which means that it is subject to biases, such as social desirability. Another limitation is that the BDHI does not measure all aspects of hostility. For example, it does not measure physical aggression.

Future Directions:

Future research on the BDHI should focus on addressing its limitations. One way to address the limitation of social desirability is to develop a more objective measure of hostility. Another way to address the limitation of not measuring all aspects of hostility is to develop a new measure that includes these aspects.

Conclusion:

The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory is a well-validated measure of hostility that can be used in research and clinical settings. The BDHI has good psychometric properties and has been shown to be sensitive to change over time. However, the BDHI has a few limitations, such as its reliance on self-report and its failure to measure all aspects of hostility. Future research on the BDHI should focus on addressing these limitations.

References:

  • Buss, A. H., & Durkee, M. (1957). The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
  • Bushman, B. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2002). Does the media make people more violent? Science, 291, 2377-2379.
  • Lemerise, E. A., & Dodge, K. A. (2008). The development of anger and aggression. In M. W. Vasey & M. R. Brendgen (Eds.), Handbook of developmental psychology: Social, emotional, and personality development (pp. 395-420). New York, NY: Wiley.

Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory items

1. I seldom strike back‚ even if someone hits me first.
2. I sometimes spread gossip about people I don’t like.
3. Unless somebody asks me in a polite way‚ I won’t do what they want.
4. I lose my temper easily but get over it quickly.
5. I don’t seem to get what’s coming to me.
6. I know that people tend to talk about me behind my back.
7. When I disapprove of my friend’s behavior‚ I let them know it.
8. The few times I have cheated‚ I have feelings of remorse.
9. Once in a while I cannot control my urge to harm others.
10. I never get mad enough to throw things.
11. Sometimes people bother me just by being around.
12. When someone makes a rule I don’t like‚ I am tempted to break it.
13. Other people always seem to get the breaks.
14. I tend to be on guard with people who are somewhat more friendly than I expected.
15. I often find myself disagreeing with people.
16. I sometimes have bad thoughts which make me feel ashamed of myself.
17. I can think of no good reason for ever hitting someone.
18. When I am angry‚ I sometimes sulk.
19. When someone is bossy‚ I do the opposite of what he asks.
20. I am irritated a great deal more than other people are aware of.
21. I don’t know any people that I downright hate.
22. There are a number of people who seem to dislike me very much.
23. I can’t help getting into arguments when people disagree with me.
24. People who shuck on the job must feel very guilty.
25. If somebody hits me first‚ I let him have it.
26. When I am mad‚ I sometimes slam doors.
27. I am always patient with others.
28. Occasionally when I am mad at someone‚ I will give him the “silent treatment.”
29. When I look back on what’s happened to me‚ I can’t help feeling mildly resentful.
30. There a number of people who seem to be jealous of me.
31. I demand that people respect my rights.
32. It depresses me that I did not do more for my parents.
33. Whoever insults me or my family is asking for a punch in the nose.
34. I never play practical jokes.
35. It makes my blood boil to have somebody make fun of me.
36. When people are bossy‚ I take my time just to show them.
37. Almost every week‚ I see somebody I dislike.
38. I sometimes have the feeling that others are laughing at me.
39. Even when my anger is aroused‚ I don’t use strong language.
40. I am concerned about being forgiven for my sins.
41. People who continually pester you are asking for a “punch in the nose.”
42. I sometimes pout when I don’t get my way.
43. If someone annoys me‚ I am apt to tell him what I think of him.
44. I often feel like a powder keg ready to explode.
45. Although I don’t show it‚ I am sometimes eaten up with jealously.
46. My motto is “Never trust strangers.”
47. When people yell at me‚ I yell back.
48. I do many things that make roe feel remorseful later.
49. When I really lose my temper‚ I am capable of slapping.
50. Since the age of ten‚ I have never had a temper tantrum.
51. When I get mad‚ I say nasty things.
52. I sometimes carry a chip on my shoulder.
53. If I let people see the way I feel. I’d be considered a hard person to get along with.
54. I commonly wonder what hidden reason another person may have for doing something nice for me.
55. I could not put someone in his place‚ even if he needed it.
56. Failure gives me a feeling of remorse.
57. I get into fights about as often as the next person.
58. I can remember being so angry that I picked up the nearest thing and broke it.
59. I often make threats I don’t really mean to carry out.
60. I can’t help being a little rude to people I don’t like.
61. At times I feel I get a raw deal out of life.
62. I use to think that most people told the truth‚ but now I know otherwise.
63. I generally cover up my poor opinion of others.
64. When I do wrong‚ my conscience punishes me.
65. If I have to resort to physical violence to defend my rights‚ I will.
66. If someone doesn’t treat me right‚ I don’t let it annoy me.
67. I have no enemies who really wish to harm me.
68. When arguing‚ I tend to raise my voice.
69. I often feel that I have not lived the right kind of life.
70. I have known people who pushed me so far that we came to blows.
71. I don’t let a lot of unimportant things irritate me.
72. I seldom feel that people are trying to anger or insult me.
73. Lately‚ I have been kind of grouchy.
74. I would rather concede a point than get into an argument.
75. I sometimes show my anger by banging on the table.
 
Assault‚ indirect hostility‚ irritability‚ negativism‚ resentment‚ suspicion‚ verbal hostility and guilt
 
 
 
True False
 

Buss‚ Arnold and Durke‚ Ann. (1957). An Inventory for Assessing Different Kinds of Hostility. Journal of Consulting Psychology‚ 21‚ 343-380.

Swang‚ John I. (1974)‚ The “AAA Syndrome”: Relationships Between Alienation‚ Anxiety and Aggression. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. PhD Dissertation

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