Family functioning, expressed emotion and quality of life in adolescents with early onset schizophrenia spectrum and affective psychotic disorders

Quality of family functioning and levels of parental expressed emotion (criticism, hostility, or emotional overinvolvement) are prospectively associated with the course and outcome of a range of childhood psychiatric disorders. This study examined family functioning, expressed emotion, and quality of life, in a clinical sample of 40 adolescents presenting with schizophrenia spectrum or affective psychotic disorders. Expressed emotion, family functioning, and quality of life were measured using the family questionnaire, family assessment device, and the KIDSCREEN 27, respectively. Parents scored high on both parts of the family questionnaire, the critical comments and emotional over-involvement. Higher expressed emotion was associated with more emotional difficulties of both parents, especially depressive features. Economic difficulties of the family were found to be negatively associated with the adolescents’ psychological wellbeing. Overall, the study points out the need for appropriate family interventions, which will assist the caregivers in developing communication and problem-solving strategies and will contribute to the reduction of high levels of hostile or critical expressed emotion and emotional over-involvement within the family.