Families' expressed emotion and the treatment of chronic schizophrenics

Abstract

Studied the relationship between the results of neuroleptic treatment for 33 chronic schizophrenia patients and their families' expressed emotion (EE). Patient symptoms were evaluated with the PANSS, GAF and clinical global impression before and after a 12-mo follow-up. The families' EE were evaluated by the Camberwell Family Interview. 20 families of the sample were described as high EE and 13 low EE. Comparing the patients' clinical scores in these 2 groups of families, the data show that patients living in low EE families have better results in PANSS positive symptoms and GAF scores than patients living in high EE families. These results are interpreted according to the stress theory of psychophysioiogical activation (arousal). Patients living with higher EE relatives will be exposed to a higher stress than patients living with low EE relatives. It is concluded that the neuroleptic's pharmacological effects seem to be related to the EE of chronic schizophrenics' families in the 12-mo follow-up. 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v14i1.525