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Minerva Psichiatrica 2000 June;41(2):111-24

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Expressed Emotion: a crosscultural research

Malta V., Mollichella L.

Expressed Emotion represents a measurement of familiar critical, hostile and emotionally hyperinvolved attitudes towards the patient. From the examination of the literature it is evident that the term ''high EE'' indicates different patterns in relation to cultures, even if it is an important factor for the clinical course of schizophrenia in almost all countries considered. As it is a crosscultural variable, it is necessary to adapt the instrument of measurement to cultures, using the same form of criteria but different contents. In most recent studies Expressed Emotion is no more considered a variable influencing monodirectionally relapses but a factor related in a circular way to other variables, as familiar burden and patient's social adjustment. It is important for family therapy strategies, as it is a variable changeable by psychoeducation.