Schizophrenia: expressed emotion: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Schizophrenia: expressed emotion

Sample item

A patient with schizophrenia returns to a household where relatives are critical, hostile and emotionally over-involved. What is the expected effect on his illness?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Higher relapse rate

High expressed emotion (criticism, hostility, emotional over-involvement) in the family raises relapse risk in schizophrenia. Family psychoeducation aims to lower it.

Option by option

  • A. Higher relapse rate (correct)

    Correct. High expressed emotion increases relapse.

  • B. Improved insight

    Hostile environments do not improve insight.

  • C. Lower relapse rate

    Relapse risk is raised, not lowered.

  • D. Reduced need for medication

    Medication needs are not reduced and adherence is often worse.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Higher relapse rate. High expressed emotion (criticism, hostility, emotional over-involvement) in the family raises relapse risk in schizophrenia.

Why is "Improved insight" not the answer?

Hostile environments do not improve insight.

Why is "Lower relapse rate" not the answer?

Relapse risk is raised, not lowered.

Why is "Reduced need for medication" not the answer?

Medication needs are not reduced and adherence is often worse.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: expressed emotion in Psychiatry. Family psychoeducation aims to lower it.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Schizophrenia: expressed emotion?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.