expressed emotion
Also written as: EE — Expressed Emotion
A measure of family emotional climate characterized by criticism, hostility, and emotional overinvolvement that predicts psychiatric relapse.
Full Definition
Expressed emotion (EE) is a well-established concept in psychiatric epidemiology that quantifies the emotional atmosphere in families of individuals with mental illness. High expressed emotion, characterized by critical comments, hostile attitudes, and emotional overinvolvement from family members, has been consistently associated with increased relapse rates in schizophrenia, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. EE is typically assessed through structured interviews with family members and has important implications for family intervention programs. The concept bridges individual and family-level risk factors, making it valuable for understanding the social determinants of psychiatric outcomes and developing targeted interventions.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the assessment method used (e.g., Camberwell Family Interview) when reporting EE findings.
In Context
- "High expressed emotion predicted shorter time to relapse in the schizophrenia cohort." — Prognostic study
- "The family intervention successfully reduced expressed emotion levels at six-month follow-up." — Treatment outcome