Appraisal, psychological adjustment and expressed emotion in relatives of patients suffering from schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
It is argued that coping theory may be useful in attempting to understand how relatives adopt to the demands of living with a schizophrenia sufferer.


METHODS
In a prospective study, univariate and multivariate relationships were explored between appraisal variables (appraisal of symptom threat (primary appraisal) and perceived symptom control (secondary appraisal)) and (a) expressed emotion, and (b) psychological distress in relatives of schizophrenic patients. The profile of relatives who showed sustained distress over time was also examined.


RESULTS
The appraisal variables were found to be related to both the concurrent distress (GHQ scores), EE ratings of relatives at the time of the patients' relapse and hospitalization, as well as the subsequent GHQ scores of relatives when the patient was discharged back home. Relatives who showed sustained distress were likely to show high EE and have a longer caring history.


CONCLUSIONS
The study gives some support to the theory that appraisal processes underlie how relatives react to having a family member with schizophrenia, and may have implications both for identifying those at risk of poor adaptation, and for understanding strategies that improve well-being.
Barrowclough
C
C
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Manchester.
Parle
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology