Over a 6-wk. period, the relationship of hostility and depression was explored in 7 mildly depressed and 11 control subjects. Depressed subjects expressed significantly more inwardly directed, outwardly directed, and total hostility than control subjects. For both groups of subjects there was an inverse relationship between inwardly and outwardly directed hostility. Thus, among nondepressed and mildly depressed individuals, maintaining a balance between inwardly and outwardly directed hostility may help to prevent the development of severe depression.
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