Predictors of the duration of therapy for clients in the community mental health system

Abstract

Single and multiple correlates for premature termination and duration of treatment were examined for 13,450 clients seem in 17 community mental health facilities. Predictor variables included seven demographic characteristics of clients and five characteristics of service (type of personnel seeing clients, assignment to in- or outpatient programs, diagnosis rendered, assignment to therapy or diagnostic services, and assignment to individual therapy or other services. Results indicated that clients who are members of ethnic groups, who have low educational backgrounds, who are seen by paraprofessional staff, and who are assigned for diagnostic services quickly terminate at community mental health facilities.

Why Do Eating Disorder Patients Drop Out?

“…The proportion of patients who begin treatment, but then terminate prematurely can be sizeable. In a large scale study Sue et al [1] found that 23% of cases starting therapy at community mental health centres dropped out after the first session, and almost 70% had dropped out by the tenth session. In a similar study of three urban mental health centres, 37-45% of adult out-patients terminated psychotherapy after the first or second session [2], Among patients attending inner-city mental health clinics, only 57% have been found to attend for four or more inter views [3].…”

Factors Associated with Early Attrition from Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs

“…Severity of illness or the presence of specific symptoms may also be important in predicting whether an individual continues PSR or similar treatment, although studies have reported mixed results (Bauman et al 1988;Primm et al 2000;Cohen et al 1995;Atwood and Beck 1985). Sociodemographics, such as age, education level, marital status, and social support may also be important in predicting dropout from PSR or similar programs (Romney 1988;Sue et al 1976;Young et al 2000). Finally, PSR programs may include many types of interventions, including social skills training, psychoeducation, vocational training, employment support, and case management, and these characteristics may affect attrition rates (Atwood and Beck 1985;Klinkenberg and Calsyn 1996).…”

Predicting therapy duration from therapist experience and client psychopathology

“…For example, Hattie, Sharpley, and Rogers (1984) found that professionals were significantly more effective with short-term therapies. The socioeconomic status (SES) of clients has also been shown to be consistently related to continuation in therapy, with higher SES individuals remaining in therapy longer (Berrigan & Garfield, 1981;Dubrin & Zastowny, 1988;Garfield, 1994;Sue, McKinney, & Allen, 1976). In addition, client diagnosis has been a variable of interest in relation to client continuation in therapy.…”

“…In addition, client diagnosis has been a variable of interest in relation to client continuation in therapy. Although diagnosis has not been shown to relate to length of therapy (Sue et al, 1976;Garfield, 1994), Dubrin and Zastowny (1988) found that client defensiveness, motivation, and psychological-mindedness were related to client continuation in therapy.…”