[Mental retardation and family environment: role of emotional factors]

The authors present data from an experimental study conducted on 20 institutionalized mentally handicapped adult patients. Relevant family variables were investigated by means of the Expressed Emotion (EE) scales, then compared with similar variables obtained in a matched sample of 20 schizophrenic patients and their families. Results show, in relatives of mentally handicapped patients, a higher rate of Warmth than in relatives of schizophrenics (p = 0.009), while other EE scales appear to reach similar values in both groups. Within the mentally handicapped family group, a higher rate of Emotional Over-involvement (p = 0.046) is shown by relatives of patients treated with neuroleptic drugs. The presence of high Warmth and Emotional Over-involvement, together with low Criticism and Hostility, may be interpreted as adaptation by the families to an organic disease with very early onset, clearer ad less rejecting than schizophrenia.