Psychiatry Research EG

Determined the value of families expressed emotion and patients perception of family criticism in predicting relapse in 32 Egyptian depressed patients and evaluated the relevance of criticism in a specific cultural context. An Arabic version of the Camberwell Family Interview was administered to key relatives of depressed Ss. Levels of criticism hostility, emotional overinvolvement warmth and positive remarks were assessed. Ss perceptions of family criticism were also assessed. All Ss were followed up for 9 mo to assess relapse and compliance with treatment. 56% of Ss relapsed and these Ss reported higher rates of criticism hostility and emotional involvement within their families. The level of criticism that differentiated relapsers and nonrelapsers was higher than the level of criticism found in studies (e.g., J. M. Hooley et al; see record 1988-04533-001) of Western Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)