When the factor structure and psychometric qualities of the Level of Expressed Emotion scale, an instrument intended to assess patient's perceptions of expressed emotion, were evaluated, three moderately intercorrelated factors emerged, with good internal consistency; these were lack of emotional support, intrusiveness/control, and irritability. This did not quite correspond to the a priori scales described in the original version. As in the original LEE, the three factors add to a total score intended to measure ‘perceived expressed emotion’.