HOW DO PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS EXPERIENCE INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR RELATIVES

Numerous studies have established the prognostic validity of family at titudes and interactional behaviors in psychiatric disorders. However, most have relied on observer-rated rather than patient-rated measures of the family context. Bipolar patients (N = 31) rated their relative s' verbal behaviors in problem-solving discussions using the Patient's Experiences of a Relative's Affective Style (PERAS) scale. The PERAS had acceptable reliability and internal consistency. Patients' PERAS j udgments of the frequencies of harsh and benign criticisms in relative s correlated positively with an observer's affective style (AS) rating s of these same behaviors in relatives. However, patients' ratings of intrusiveness and support in relatives were unrelated to the observer' s AS ratings. The PERAS is a promising measure of how patients experie nce their family interactions.