Final answer:
Passive-aggressive individuals often conceal underlying anger, which can lead to social strain and adverse health outcomes such as an increased risk of heart disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with passive-aggressive personalities often attempt to hide an underlying feeling of anger. This hidden anger can manifest through indirect expressions of hostility and can be harmful to personal relationships and the individual's own well-being. Suppressing anger is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including the increased risk of heart disease.
Research indicates that individuals who express high levels of anger are more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events. For example, a study found that men with high levels of anger had a significantly higher risk of having a heart attack by age 55. Passive-aggressive individuals may use defense mechanisms such as reaction formation, where they display behavior that contradicts their true feelings, to cope with their anger. This unresolved anger can lead to social strain and adverse interpersonal interactions, perpetuating a cycle of hostility and strained relationships.