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Expressed emotion and depression

A longitudinal study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

H. Hayhurst ,
Z. Cooper ,
E. S. Paykel ,
R. Ramana  and
S. Vearnals
H. Hayhurst*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Z. Cooper
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
E. S. Paykel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
R. Ramana
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
S. Vearnals
Affiliation:
Social Psychiatry Section, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr H. Hayhurst, Box 189, Department of Psychiatry, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ
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Abstract

Background

Previous studies show that criticism by relatives during acute depressive illness predicts relapse over nine months, but the course of criticism over time and its relation to the course of illness, have not been examined in depressed patients.

Method

Thirty-nine depressed patients and their partners, were interviewed separately at three-monthly intervals over about one year. Illness was assessed by Research Diagnostic Criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Criticism was measured by the Camberwell Family Interview.

Results

Criticism when patients were most depressed predicted neither remission nor subsequent relapse. Patients who fully recovered, with or without later relapse, had partners who were consistently uncritical, or critical only at presentation. Patients with residual symptoms during remission had more persistently critical partners.

Conclusions

The nature of the association between criticism and depression could not be unequivocally established, although it appeared likely that continuing criticism was a result of continuing depression. Relatives' understanding of the illness may mediate between levels of criticism and the course of depression.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 5 , November 1997 , pp. 439 - 443
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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