title: Cynical hostility: developmental factors, psychosocial correlates, and health behaviors.
abstract: Examined potential differences between individuals with high and low Cook and Medley (1954) Hostility (Ho) scale scores in regard to (a) self-esteem and particular developmental experiences; (b) utilization of social support, experience of anger, and the manner in which anger is managed; and (c) potentially health-damaging behaviors. Individuals with high Ho scale scores were found to be low in covert self-esteem and reported behavior on the part of their parents that reflected (a) less genuine acceptance, (b) more interference in the person's desires as a child, and (c) more punitiveness. In addition, the results indicated that high Ho score individuals avoid seeking or accepting social support, experience anger that is excessive and that occurs in a wide variety of situations, and suppress expression of anger. Finally, it was found that hostile individuals tended to drink more alcohol and drive a car more frequently after drinking and to have greater relative weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2160.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Houston
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Vavak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support