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Expressed emotion, social skill, and response to negative affect in schizophrenia
K T Mueser1, A S Bellack, J H Wade
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, Philadelphia 19129.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Family expressed emotion (EE) impacts schizophrenia patients' social skills. High criticism from relatives hinders patient assertiveness, suggesting social skills mediate family interactions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Schizophrenia affects social functioning.
- Family expressed emotion (EE) is linked to patient outcomes.
- Understanding social skills in response to negative affect is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine schizophrenia patients' social skills and perception in response to negative affect.
- To investigate the role of family expressed emotion (EE) in these responses.
- To explore how patient assertiveness and family dynamics interact.
Main Methods:
- Schizophrenia patients underwent role-play tests, social perception tasks, and problem-solving discussions.
- Family members were assessed using the Camberwell Family Interview for EE.
- Patient symptomatology and behaviors were systematically measured.
Main Results:
- Patients with less critical relatives showed increased assertiveness when faced with negative affect.
- Patients with highly critical relatives exhibited reduced assertiveness, especially with family members.
- Patient and relative behaviors during problem-solving correlated with EE dimensions (criticism, emotional overinvolvement, warmth).
Conclusions:
- The expressed emotion (EE) construct is a valid indicator of relatives' affective behavior.
- Patient social skills, particularly assertiveness, may mediate negative affective exchanges within families.
- Family dynamics and EE significantly influence schizophrenia patients' social functioning.