Maternal expressed emotion, attributions and depression and entry into therapy for children with behaviour problems.

OBJECTIVES

Maternal expressed emotion (EE), attributions, depression and parenting stress in mothers of children with behaviour problems referred for therapy were tested for associations with entry to therapy.

METHOD: In all, 57 mothers were assessed prior to first appointment using the Camberwell Family Interview coded for EE and attributions (LACS), and completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI).

RESULTS

Mothers who did not attend scored higher on EE dimensions of critical comments, hostility or emotional over-involvement, BDI or PSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the most distressed families referred may not attend, and need a different approach to engagement.