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Criticism and hostility in relatives of patients with schizophrenia or related psychoses: demographic and clinical predictors
Author(s) -
Bentsen H.,
Notland T. H.,
Boye B.,
Munkvold O.G.,
Bjøge H.,
Lersbryggen A. B.,
Uren G.,
Oskarsson K. H.,
BergLarsen R.,
Lingjæerde O.,
Malt U. F.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1998.tb09967.x
Subject(s) - hostility , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychology , norwegian , anxiety , clinical psychology , psychiatry , expressed emotion , criticism , depression (economics) , psychological intervention , confounding , medicine , art , linguistics , philosophy , literature , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
Relatives' criticism and hostility are important risk factors for relapse in schizophrenia. In order to explain these attitudes, we examined a Norwegian sample of 47 recently hospitalized patients (with schizophrenia or related psychoses) and 72 relatives. Relatives’ expressed emotion was assessed by means of the Camberwell Family Interview. Demographic and clinical data were used as predictor variables in confirmatory regression analyses. The most robust predictors of high levels of criticism were, on the part of the patient, lack of paid employment, more than 3 previous hospital admissions, more troublesome behaviours reported by relatives, especially anxiety/ depression, and better cognitive functioning at admission. Robust predictors of hostility were lack of employment and more than 3 previous hospitalizations. Interventions to reduce criticism should include employing patients and working with relatives' unrealistic expectations.