A. Weisman et al., AN ATTRIBUTIONAL ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSED EMOTION IN MEXICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA, Journal of abnormal psychology, 102(4), 1993, pp. 601-606
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.