AN ATTRIBUTIONAL ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSED EMOTION IN MEXICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

In this study we tested an attributional model of expressed emotion (E E) among Mexican-American families. A sample of 46 key family members of schizophrenic patients were measured on three dimensions: affect to ward patient, controllability attributions, and level of EE. Consisten t with an attributional model, we found that high EE families (defined on the basis of critical comments) viewed the illness and associated symptoms as residing within the patient's personal control, more so th an did low EE families. We also found that attributions held by family members are related to their affective reactions. Specifically, famil y members who perceived the patient as having control over the symptom s of schizophrenia tended to express greater negative emotions such as anger and annoyance toward the patient than did family members who vi ewed the symptoms as beyond the patient's personal control. An examina tion of the types of affects found and their relationship to EE status is discussed, along with implications for this research.