The Overcontrolled Hostility Scale

Abstract

The present study examined the validity of Megargee's Overcontrolled Hostility Scale for use with a delinquent and violent adolescent population. Archival Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) data were collected on 18 adolescent murderers, 18 violent (but nonmurdering) young offenders, and 18 nonviolent youths convicted of property offenses. The MMPI was administered to a comparison group of 18 adolescent nonoffenders. The homicide group was divided into two groups based on documented instances of the offender's aggressive behavior prior to committing a homicide: the aggressive homicide subgroup and the nonaggressive homicide subgroup. Moderate but statistically nonsignificant effect sizes were found between adolescent murderers and all other adolescent groups on the scale. These results suggest that overcontrolled hostility may be present in adolescent murderers. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.