Interactions in high- and low-EE families

Abstract

In order to find out whether the level of Expressed Emotion represents only the emotional engagement of the closest relative, or whether it corresponds to a special sort of relationship between relative and patient, 17 parents of schizophrenic patients were examined with the Camberwell Family Interview and rated as high or low EE. They were also questioned in a semi-structured interview about interactions between themselves and the patient. Transcripts of these reported interactions were analysed and described with an interpersonal instrument (SASB). The comparison of the data from CFI and SASB shows that EE-measures of the parents correlate strongly with certain features of the relationship. High EE relationships have a more negative emotional climate, a conflict-prone structure and especially rigid patterns of interaction. In addition, there were significant correlations between SASB-variables and two subscores of the CFI (criticism and emotional overinvolvement). These results add to the validity of the EE-concept and suggest that EE-measures of relatives correspond with certain qualities of the patient-relative relationship.