Beyond Expressed Emotion - Behavioral-Assessment of Family-Interaction Associated with the Course of Schizophrenia

摘要: A long-standing hypothesis states that family interaction mediates the course of schizophrenia. Over last 30 years, Expressed Emotion (EE), a construct measured via assessments attitudes and behavior, often found to predict schizophrenic relapse, has been central research testing this hypothesis. This paper analyzes EE research, concludes conceptualization measurement are inadequate clarify schizophrenia-family link. Behavioral assessment patients focused largely on behavioral correlates high EE. Relative low-EE, high-EE families exhibit greater verbal negativity by both relatives patients, coercive escalation, higher autonomic arousal in patients. However, association between these characteristics schizophrenia is untested. Research needed which directly assesses schizophrenia, outcome across broad range criteria, uses wider available measures interaction.