Comments on Expressed Emotion and the development of new treatments for substance abuse

The construct of Expressed Emotion (EE), its development, its role in the maintenance and relapse of schizophrenia and other mental disorders, and the applicability of the EE construct to the area of substance abuse are discussed. The universality of EE and issues regarding its measurement and limitations associated with the current manner in which EE is conceptualized are highlighted. Applicability of EE to the area of substance abuse was judged not likely to result in important new findings about the nature of substance abuse or new treatments given the current manner in which EE is conceptualized. Some suggestions for broadening the construct and including additional variables are offered.