The structure of expressed emotion: A three-construct representation

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to explore a 3-factor model of expres sed emotion (Criticism, Emotional Overinvolvement, and Positivity) in a sam ple of 104 outpatients with agoraphobia or obsessive-compulsive disorder an d 104 relatives of these patients. Multiple methods of measurement included the Camberwell Family Interview, observation of verbal and nonverbal behav iors during patient-relative problem-solving interactions, and ratings of r elatives' behavior made by patients and by relatives. The convergent validi ty of the 3 individual constructs was demonstrated through single-factor mo dels fitted to Criticism, Positivity, and Emotional Overinvolvement measure s. A 3-factor model was then estimated and determined to provide adequate f it to the data, thus demonstrating the distinctiveness of the constructs. C riticism and Positivity were strongly and negatively correlated, whereas Em otional Overinvolvement bore little relationship to the other 2 factors.