Changes in the Electrodermal Activity of Schizophrenic Patients Associated with Change in the Expressed Emotion Status of Their Relatives

Abstract

Thirty-nine relatives of schizophrenic patients, who had been rated as high on Expressed Emotion (EE) during the patients’ admission for an acute episode, were re-rated on EE 9 months after discharge from the index admission. Electrodermal activity was recorded from the patient during a 15-min period when the relative was absent and a similar period while the relative was present. Recording took place during the index admission and at a 9-month follow-up. A comparison was made between those patients whose relatives remained high EE at follow-up (Stables) and those whose relatives change to low EE (Decreasers). No differences were apparent between these two groups, however, differences were found within groups. At admission both groups showed an increase in electrodermal measures from the relative-absent period to the relative-present period. At 9-month follow-up, the Stables still exhibited this direction of change, whereas the Decreasers showed a decrease in electrodermal activity between these periods.