EXPRESSED EMOTION AND THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Patterns of interaction and attitudes in the relationships of 21 young schizophrenic patients, their parents and therapists were explored and compared with each other. The focus was on expressed emotion (EE) that is known to have an important on the course of schizophrenic illness. In this study, the EE status not only of the relatives, but also of the therapists was rated with the five-minute-speech-sample method. Furthermore, data on the quality of interaction of therapists and parents with the patients were derived from the therapist/relative-patient-interaction scale. Results showed that about one third of the therapists' as well as the relatives' interviews had to be rated high on EE. A more complex assessment of the EE categories in both groups was obtained from the dyadic interaction scales. High EE relatives were rejected and rated as inscrutable by the patients. The assessments of the therapeutic and the familial relationships showed the patients' requirement for unequivocal communication. Differences and similarities of the interaction styles and their implications for research and therapy are discussed.