Martijn van Teffelen

Chapter 2 34 Intent). This is in line with factor analytic studies that demonstrated a cognitive, affective, and behavioral hostility factor (Kopper & Epperson, 1996; Martin et al., 2000; Riley & Treiber, 1989). Correlations with the original scales show that the affective component is mostly captured by the STAXI-2T and PID-5H, whereas the cognitive component is mostly captured by the AQ-H. At the fourth level, the behavioral component differentiated in an interpersonal (Social Aggression) and physical (Physical Aggression) component. This largely converges with studies showing a four-factor solution consisting of a cognitive, affective and two behavioral factors (Buss & Perry, 1992; Maier et al., 2009). Associations with the original scales show that Social Aggression is mostly captured by the FOA, whereas Physical Aggression was mostly captured by the STAXI-2T and the FOA. Moreover, we demonstrated that the interpersonal component split up into a verbal and relational aggression component. In short, the present findings show that seemingly diverging factor analytic solutions from previous studies converge into one hierarchically structured model of hostility. Similar to other models for which hierarchical structures have shown value (e.g., narcissism, agreeableness, impulsivity, avoidance behavior, emotional expression), the current research demonstrates that at the highest, most abstract level 30% of the variance in hostility is explained by one underlying dimension. Already at the second hierarchical level behavioral characteristics are separated from cognitive characteristics, showing that behavior is a clear distinct characteristic within hostility. Moving down another hierarchical layer, interpretational characteristics are separated from affective characteristics. The affective and interpretational components of hostility remain stable facets in the majority (i.e., three out of five) of hierarchical layers, marking their relative stability. At even more specific hierarchical layers, behavioral characteristics of hostility differentiate in three expressive forms of aggressive behavior: physical, verbal, and relational aggression. Together, these five facets explain 49% of the variance in hostility items. Surprisingly, the Physical Aggression component at level four and five showed a negative association with the STAXI-2T. A likely explanation is that all inversely transformed items are included in the Physical Aggression component, and that the STAXI-2T includes many items that tap into physical aggressive behavior (e.g., “When I get mad, I say nasty things”). Overall, these findings show that hostility can be perceived as multifaceted construct in which affective, interpretational, and behavioral characteristics are stable components. Several limitations impact the present findings. First, the present work did not include any predictive measures. Although the present findings show convergent validity, we cannot draw any definite conclusions on the criterion validity of the present findings. A recommendation for future research is hence to include instruments that show differential relationships to different hostility facets, such as agreeableness, shame proneness, empathy, trust, and compassion. Second, the majority of the sample (74%) was female. Given that women exhibit more indirect