The aim of the paper is to describe the relationship between family factors and the development of psychotic schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The paper includes several topics: the significance of the family system which is the source of support, the pathogenic impact of emotional overinvolvement on the development of illness and the possibility to modify the emotional atmosphere through psychoeducation sessions. A description of the emotional atmosphere has been related to the emotional self-regulation through mentalization. The description of the relationship between family factors and the development of an illness has been based on the Expressed Emotion theory and Mentalization theory. On the basis of clinical practice and results of scientific research it is assumed that an adverse outcome is related to the high rate of the Expressed Emotion Index, which is the measure of the emotional atmosphere in the family. Psychoeducation is an efficient method to downregulate the level of the Expressed Emotion Index. It is assumed that its efficiency is based on the development of mentalizing abilities. The analysis has shown that that engagement of family members into the treatment process through participation in psychoeducation sessions is a vital factor which reinforces the family system and supports the recovery of an ill family member.

Key words: schizophrenia, psychosis, the Expressed Emotion Index, mentalization.