Relatives' locus of control and expressed emotion in schizophrenia and related psychoses

Objectives. Knowledge of what predicts relatives' expressed emotion (EE) may contribute to improved family work in schizophrenia. In the present study we examined locus of control (LOC) beliefs as determinants of EE components. Design. This study is observational, prospective and partly cross‐sectional, partly longitudinal (stability of LOC). Methods. In a Norwegian sample of 47 recently hospitalized patients (schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder) and 70 relatives, the relatives' EE was assessed by the Camberwell Family Interview and LOC by Levenson's Internality, Powerful Others and Chance scales. Results. Confirmatory multiple regression analyses showed that Chance LOC was positively related to emotional overinvolvement (p < .005). Powerful Others LOC, especially ‘wish to ingratiate’ items, were positively linked to criticism and, among workers/lower grade employees only, to emotional overinvolvement. Internal LOC was not linked to any EE scale. Conclusions. This study indicates that LOC beliefs may be determinants of emotional overinvolvement and criticism, and should be taken into account in family work that aims at modifying relatives' EE.