Patterns Of Self- And Other-representation In Trait Hostility

Abstract

This study examined self- and other-representations accompanying trait hostility. Participants characterized four targets, Self as Usual, Worst Self, Closest Friend, and Disrespected Other, using six scales. Four scales measured dimensions with hypothesized links to hostility (hostile motivation, social threat, anger experience, denigration) and two did not (non-anger negative emotion, positivity). Findings partially confirmed predicted associations between hostility and the first four dimensions, controlling statistically for depressive symptoms and trait anxiety. Hostile negativity was reflected to a substantial degree in all four targets, both self- and non-self-referent, and both normatively positive (Usual Self, Closest Friend) and negative (Worst Self, Disrespected Other). These findings have potentially important implications for conceptualizing trait hostility and its relationship to negative psychological and physical health outcomes.