Differential correlates of criticism versus emotional overinvolvement towards patients with schizophrenia living in halfway houses or with their families

This study systematically searched for differential correlates of criticism vs. emotional overinvolvement (EOI) towards patients with schizophrenia in families and halfway houses, which have only incidentally been reported in previous research. Identified patterns were compared across settings.

We included 40 inpatients with schizophrenia living in halfway houses and 40 outpatients living with their families and recorded the expressed emotion (EE) of 22 psychiatric nurses or 56 parents, respectively, through Five Minutes Speech Samples. Each nurse rated 1–12 inpatients and each inpatient was rated by 2–5 nurses. Each outpatient was rated by one or both parents. As EE ratings had a multilevel structure, weighted Spearman correlations of criticism and EOI with various patient- and caregiver-related characteristics were calculated and compared with Meng’s z-test.

Criticism was weakly negatively correlated with EOI in nurses but negligibly in parents. Distinct patterns of significant differential correlates arose across settings. Outpatients’ aggressive behavior and parents’ related burden were mainly associated with higher criticism. Inpatients’ symptoms (agitation/aggression, negative and other psychotic symptoms) and nurses’ burnout (Depersonalization) were mainly associated with lower EOI. Inpatients’ perceived criticism and outpatients’ previous suicide attempts were equally associated with higher criticism and lower EOI (mirror correlations). Finally, various inpatient attributes (older age, chronicity, unemployment and smoking) triggered higher EOI only. Inpatients’ age, psychopathology (esp. agitation/aggression and negative symptoms) and perceived criticism survived adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Our findings suggest setting-specific pathogenetic pathways of criticism and EOI and might help customize psychoeducational interventions to staff and families.