[A study on the scaling methods of expressed emotion scales from the perspective of relapse predictability of schizophrenia].

We made an analysis on the scaling methods of Expressed Emotion Scales, which was noticeable as one of powerful psycho-social factors to predict the relapse of the schizophrenics, to find out the unitary conceptual substance in the family. The research was conducted at 3 psychiatric hospitals in Chiba. 72 out of 93 cases were followed up after 9 months. The results were as follows. There was not internal consistency in EE sub-scales at all, but there was two-dimensional structure. It was suggested important to enhance the relapse predictability of EE scales that 1) EE should be assessed by means of household level, 2) binary (high or low) variables of Hostility and Emotional Overinvolvement have to be used, 3) Warmth and Positive Remarks make an important contribution, and 4) information of the existence of the rejective family member to CFI interview is also an important factor.