Familial origins of expressed emotion in relatives of people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Expressed emotion (EE) is an index of the quality of the relationship between relative and patient. This study approaches EE from an attachment theory perspective and examines whether relatives' internal working models of their own parents' influences their subsequent EE status in adult life. Methods: Participants were the 55 key relatives of 32 predominantly long-term, stable, community-based index patients with schizophrenia. Relatives' EE was measured with the Camberwell Family Interview and their recollections of parenting with the Parental Bonding Instrument. Results: Maternal over-protection was positively related to emotional over-involvement but marginally negatively associated with criticism. Conclusion: This study was limited by an unrepresentative sample and the results are not unequivocal, limiting the generalisability of the findings. However, the results offer tentative indications that some aspects of EE may be associated with relatives' childhood experiences, and warrant replication with a more representative sample.