One way social psychological explanations can be applied to modifying schizophrenia is through family interventions. These are based on the idea that high levels of expressed emotion (EE) within families - such as criticism, hostility, or emotional over-involvement -can increase relapse rates in individuals with schizophrenia. Pharoah et al. (2000) suggested family interventions work by improving communication, reducing stress, and helping relatives set realistic expectations and boundaries. By lowering emotional tension and improving problem-solving within the family, these interventions reduce the environmental triggers for relapse. Supporting this, Pharoah et al. (2010) reviewed 53 trials and found that family interventions significantly reduced relapse rates and hospital admissions. This shows that applying social psychological understanding of family dynamics can lead to practical, effective strategies for managing schizophrenia.
