Perceived criticism: associations with perceiver characteristics and interpersonal behaviour

Abstract

Perceived Criticism (PC) evolved in the context of Expressed Emotion (EE) research and, like EE, predicts the course of various psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about PC's validity. We examined (in Study 1) to what extent PC reflects the perceiver's current depressive and marital complaints, whether PC measures reciprocal criticism that characterizes dyads rather than individuals, and (in Study 2) whether PC reflects actual interactive behaviour. Both studies compared a single-item with a multi-item measure of PC. In Study 1, general community couples completed self-reports of PC, depressed mood, and marital dissatisfaction, and expressed their feelings in a brief EE interview (Five Minute Speech Samples). Multilevel analyses suggested that PC was associated with both partners' expressions of criticism, and the perceiver's depressive and marital complaints. In Study 2, general community couples completed self-reports of PC and participated in a videotaped problem solving interaction. Interactions were coded with the Kategorien system für partnerschaftliche Interaktion (KPI). PC was related to the partner's verbal and nonverbal expression of criticism and the perceiver's expression of nonverbal negative behaviour. Overall, the pattern of findings fits in well with theoretical formulations regarding EE, and supports the usefulness of PC measures as practical alternatives for the assessment of EE.