Maternal expressed emotion, attributions and depression and entry into therapy for children with behaviour problems.
OBJECTIVE
Maternal expressed emotion (EE), attributions, depression and parenting stress in mothers of children with behaviour problems referred for therapy were tested for associations with entry to therapy.


METHODS
In all, 57 mothers were assessed prior to first appointment using the Camberwell Family Interview coded for EE and attributions (LACS), and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI).


RESULTS
Mothers who did not attend scored higher on EE dimensions of critical comments, hostility or emotional over-involvement, BDI or PSI.


CONCLUSIONS
Some of the most distressed families referred may not attend, and need a different approach to engagement.
Calam
Rachel
R
Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. rachel.calam@man.ac.uk
Bolton
Catherine
C
Roberts
Janine
J
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012017:Referral and Consultation