Patterns of emotional response in relatives of schizophrenic patients.

In an attempt to understand better the ways in which relatives' expressed emotion (EE) interacts with the patient's behavior to influence patterns of relapse, the correlates of EE have been examined. Four characteristics that tend to distinguish relatives who show high criticism and/or marked emotional overinvolvement from those who do not have been identified. These concern the relative's emotional reaction to the illness, views as to its legitimacy, level of tolerance/expectations, and level of intrusiveness with regard to the patient.