| Abstract: | Expressed Emotion (EE) has been a useful construct for understanding the relationship between family interactions and depression in patients with psychiatric disorders. It has not, however, been well studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers despite its potential utility in clarifying patient-caregiver interactions and how such interactions may affect patient function, and caregiver burden, mood and quality of care. This study investigated the rate of EE in caregivers of patients with AD and depression. It also investigated the relationship of caregiver EE to patient status and caregiver burden and depression. Fifty-seven AD patient-caregiver dyads were studied in a cross-sectional design. Caregiver measures included the EE Speech Sample, Burden Inventory, and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Patient measures included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Record of Independent Living, and Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist. Twenty-three (40%) caregivers were high in EE, 34 (60%) were low. This percentage is higher than reported in normal older adults but is consistent with other psychiatric populations. High EE caregivers were significantly more likely to be clinically depressed and have higher levels of burden. They also endorsed fewer positive aspects of caregiving. No relationship was found between caregiver EE status and patient variables. Caregiver EE offers a novel approach to understanding important aspects of caregiver-patient interactions which may impact long term patient functioning and caregivers' ability to provide effective care. |
