The short-term effects of a hostility-reduction intervention on male coronary heart disease patients

This preliminary study examined the effects of a hostility-reduction interv ention on patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Twenty-two high-hosti le CHD men were matched on age and hostility and then randomly assigned to a hostility intervention (N = 10)or an information-control group (N = 12). Patients were reassessed immediately and 2 months posttreatment on hostilit y (with self-report and structured interview) and resting blood pressure. T he intervention's overall effect size was moderately strong(d' = 62). Inter vention patients reported at both reassessments and were observed at follow -up to be less hostile than controls. At follow-up, intervention patients h ad significantly lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than controls. Finall y, reductions in hostility were significantly and positively correlated wit h reductions in DBP. Replication with a larger sample and CHD outcomes is r ecommended.