EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF CHRONIC FRUSTRATION-HOSTILITY-AGGRESSION STATES

This paper presents evidence illustrating the transmission of chronic frustration-hostility-aggression states assuming epidemic proportions. Intensive studies were made by clinical-genetic methods of 2 families in both of which the effects of chronic anger states could be demonstrated through 4 generations. It apears that anger has different pathological implications than anxiety in that its outward manifestations may involve other persons in establishing an epidemic of negative reactions. The dynamics of the disorder are outlined with illustrations of individual reactions among those exposed. These frustration-hostility-aggression states are regarded as major psychiatric syndromes since the degrees of personal and social incapacitation may be very great, particularly when many persons become involved in a vicious situational psychopathy.