EXPRESSED EMOTION IN FAMILIES OF CLINICALLY REFERRED AND NONREFERRED CHILDREN - TOWARD A FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXPRESSED EMOTION INDEX

As assessed from a 5-min speech sample, level of expressed emotion (EE ) in parents significantly discriminated between families of 7- to 16- year-old children who were referred for mental health treatment and a nonclinical comparison group; however, both groups contained a relativ ely high proportion of high-EE families. Furthermore, EE independently predicted clinical-nonclinical group status when considered in conjun ction with overall family functioning and level of psychological distr ess in mothers. Findings support the relevance of EE, although the mea sure showed poor specificity and an analysis of the components that co mprise the EE index indicated that only certain components were pertin ent. The need to reassess the meaning of the EE construct and strength en its applicability for the general clinical population of children a nd families is discussed.