VERBAL INTERACTIONS IN THE FAMILIES OF SCHIZOPHRENIC AND BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE PATIENTS

Do verbal interactions between psychiatric patients and family members covary with the diagnosis of the patient? This study compared relativ es (usually parents) of schizophrenic (n = 42) and bipolar (n = 22) pa tients on affective style (AS) or emotional-verbal behavior toward pat ients in family interaction. Patients were compared on coping style or verbal interactional behavior toward relatives. Relatives of schizoph renic patients made more negative AS (particularly intrusive) statemen ts to patients than relatives of bipolar patients. Schizophrenic patie nts made fewer supportive statements and more self-denigrating stateme nts to relatives than bipolar patients. Among families of bipolar pati ents, negative AS in relatives was associated with oppositional, ''ref using'' styles in patients. Implications for psychosocial intervention s with these disorders are discussed.