Demographic and clinical variables associated with continuation in treatment at a community mental health center

Abstract

Two hundred patients who chose to continue in treatment at a community mental health center were compared with 200 patients who chose to discontinue treatment after a limited number of visits. Cross‐tabulations and loglinear analysis were used to assess group differences on 11 demographic and 8 clinical variables. Cross‐tabulations provided evidence of significant group differences on 10 variables, and loglinear analysis did so for 9 variables. As a group, patients who chose not to continue in treatment tended to be younger and less dysfunctional and had less prior mental health treatment.

Age, Gender, and Treatment Attendance Among Forensic Psychiatric Outpatients

“…The highest proportion of both males and females who missed appointments fell into the 15-24 year age range. This is generally consistent with the results of previous studies that have recognized the ages of 15-35 as a high risk category for missing appointments (Baekeland & Lundwall, 1975;Campbell et al, 1991;Gleeson et al, 1991;Hambridge, 1990;Marsh et al, 1989;Oppenheim et al, 1979;Starkenburg et al, 1988). Table 1 shows that the absentee rate for men declines with age for those who have low or high contact with their therapist.…”

“…Low socioeconomic status has been found by some to relate to client absenteeism (Lefebvre, Sommerauer, Cohen, Waldron, & Perry, 1983;Marsh et al, 1989;Oppenheim et al, 1979;Rosenfield, 1991;Starkenburg et al, 1988). Other studies, however, find no relationship between client absenteeism and low socioeconomic status (Bender & Pilling,1985;Gleeson et al, 1991;Persons, Burns, & Perloff, 1988).…”

“…The consequences of treatment noncompliance are far-reaching. With an increased need for mental health treatment and the current limited resources available, a greater understanding of factors related to absenteeism would enhance the proficiency of mental health services (Marsh, Zabarenko, Stoughton, & Miller, 1989). Data are needed to target problem populations, such as forensic psychiatry, where appointments are regularly missed.…”

“…A few studies have shown that African Americans and Hispanics have missed more appointments (Oppenheim et al, 1979;Starkenburg et al, 1988). Psychiatric diagnoses (Marsh et al, 1989;Oppenheim et al, 1979;Persons et al, 1988) and experiences of childhood abuse (Fisher, Winne, & Ley, 1993;Killeen, Brady, & Thevos, 1995) have also been associated with clients who fail to attend their appointments.…”

“…Numerous studies have revealed that adolescents and younger adults (under 35) miss more appointments than older adults (over 45) (Baekeland & Lundwall, 1975;Campbell et al, 1991;Gleeson et al, 1991;Hambridge, 1990;Marsh et al, 1989;Oppenheim et al, 1979;Starkenburg et al, 1988). Still, Persons et al (1988) and Lefebvre et al (1983) have found no significant relationship between age and missed appointments.…”