A review of the importance and consequences of family expressed emotion in schizophrenic relapse

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with high relapse rates, which is generally chronic and may result in deterioration in social and cognitive functioning. It is thought that attitudes and behaviors of caregivers and families who are in contact with patients with schizophrenia have a significant role in the course of schizophrenia. Expressed emotion is considered a significant psychosocial predictor of relapse in psychotic disorders. High expressed emotion is commonly observed among relatives of patients with schizophrenia. When the association between schizophrenia and family is considered from the historical point of view, it appears that most researchers, advocating psychological theory, regard the family as an important cause of the disorder. However, it is thought that this point of view, which regards family members as an important cause of the disorder, may lead to a failure to understand the related relationship and agree with the family in the solution of the disorder. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of expressed emotion of the family in the course and relapse of schizophrenia and to offer suggestions for reducing relapse rates by compiling related research findings.