Citation

Moore E, Yates M, Mallindine C, Ryan S, Jackson S, Chinnon N, Kuipers E, Hammond S. Leg. Crim. Psychol. 2002; 7(2): 203-218.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, British Psychological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1348/135532502760274800

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background. Research on Expressed Emotion (EE) has demonstrated substantial consistency across cultures and over time, endorsing the social environment as important in determining the course and outcome of problems in mental health. The aim of this study was to measure EE in staff-patient relationships in three forensic services for in-patients with a history of mental disorder and offending, using a prospective, naturalistic design, with a 12-month follow-up of staff and patient outcomes.Methods. Keyworker or team nurse and patient pairs (N=75) consented to participate in an interview which included an audiotaped task. Twelve months after this interview, information on outcome for staff and patients was collected by researchers blind to the EE status of participants.Results. Comparatively high levels of criticism were rated during staff speech samples: N=55 high-EE relationships as determined by conventional criteria. Principal component analysis of the EE rating scales comprising the Five-MinuteSpeech-Sample (FMSS) established a composite of 'low-EE' vs. 'high-EE' variables. The staff 'continuum' measure of high criticism, low positive remarks and 'negative' relationship quality was significantly associated with change in the relationship 12 months later. There was no association between patient EE ratings and rehabilitative outcome, nor EE and staff outcome.Conclusions. The study replicates recent findings that staff attitudes and behaviour in professional relationships influence clinical outcomes.

Language: en