Expressed Emotion in relatives of persons with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Safavi, Roxanne; Berry, Katherine; Wearden, Alison
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 21:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: Expressed Emotion -- dementia -- psychological well-being -- burden; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1111863
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objective s : Expressed Emotion (EE) refers to a number of key aspects of interpersonal relationships which have been shown to relate to outcomes in relatives of people with health conditions. Design : A systematic review and meta-analysis of EE and outcomes in relatives of persons with dementia is reported. Potential research studies were identified via a search of three electronic databases; PsychINFO, MEDLINE and the Web of Science between 1960 and 2015. Results : We reviewed 12 studies investigating correlations between EE and well-being in relatives of patients with dementia. Factors hypothesised to influence EE including attributions, social support, coping strategies and relationship quality were also reviewed. Conclusion : High-EE relatives were found to have increased levels of burden ( Z = 6.967, P < 0.001) and greater levels of depression ( Z = 5.842, P < 0.001). Compared to low-EE relatives, high-EE relatives were more likely to attribute the patient's problems to factors that were personal to and controllable by the patient. Relatives with less social support, inefficient coping strategies and a poor relationship with the patients, were more likely to be classified as high-EE.