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The Buss–Durkee 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 self–report 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 five–point scale ranging from “not at all“ to “very 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 Buss–Durkee 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
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