An exploration of family communication style and its impact upon Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

In 1999, Tarrier, Sommerfield and Pilgrim (1999) demonstrated that individuals with PTSD showed a poorer treatment outcome if they lived with relatives who were high in Expressed Emotion (EE).  However, no exploration of how this effect was mediated was made at the time.

The current study is an initial exploration into the possible links between Expressed Emotion and PTSD.  Possible variables linking the two concepts were identified through an examination of the theoretical models of both EE and PTSD.  These variables were then measured in a one off interview session with individuals prior to the onset of treatment.  The EE level of their key identified relative was also calculated during the session through a measure which examines the individuals’ perception of their relatives’ behaviour.

The findings demonstrated an association between the perceived level of EE of the relative and the cognitions about the world and the cognitions regarding self-blame held by the individual with PTSD.  As this was only an exploratory study, findings were not specific enough to guide more theorising as to the links between EE and PTSD.  However, the findings did suggest useful avenues of further research.

More information

Identifiers

Catalogue record

Export record

ASCII CitationAtomBibTeXData Cite XMLDublin CoreDublin CoreEP3 XMLEndNoteHTML CitationHTML CitationHTML ListJSONMETSMODSMPEG-21 DIDLOpenURL ContextObjectOpenURL ContextObject in SpanRDF+N-TriplesRDF+N3RDF+XMLRIOXX2 XMLReferReference ManagerSimple Metadata