The Role of Distress Tolerance in Multiple Facets of Hostility and Willingness to Forgive

Abstract

Distress tolerance (DT) is a transdiagnostic construct linked to multiple psychiatric disorders. Identification of behaviors and attitudes associated with DT may provide helpful information regarding the construct and provide a clearer lens through which to view the interpersonal difficulties of individuals with low DT. Two studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between DT and hostile attitudes. In Study 1 (N = 76), lower DT was related to less forgiveness, after controlling for anxiety and depression in an unselected student sample. Study 2 examined a clinical sample seeking treatment for problematic anger (N = 131). Lower DT was related to less forgiveness and greater hostile ideation and hostile interpretation bias, independent of depression and anxiety. The observed relationships between DT and these dysfunctional interpersonal qualities provide support for the potential relevance of hostile cognitions to the study of DT.