Psychophysiological assessment of expressed emotion in schizophrenia. A case example

Br J Psychiatry. 1984 Aug:145:197-200. doi: 10.1192/bjp.145.2.197.

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated a different psychophysiological response of schizophrenic patients depending on whether their key relative was rated high or low on Expressed Emotion (EE). A case assessment is described in which a young man suffering from schizophrenia, who lived with both a high EE and a low EE parent, was tested psychophysiologically in their presence using an ABAC design. The patient demonstrated a significantly higher amount of spontaneous activity in skin conductance level when the high EE parent was present. The high EE parent also demonstrated a greater perceived inability to cope, and a higher level of personal distress.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emotions*
  • Galvanic Skin Response
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology