Posttreatment adjustment of clients who drop out early vs. late in treatment.
Symptom improvement from intake until 4 months later was assessed for 33 adult and 35 child psychotherapy drop-outs. Client ratings, therapist ratings, and symptom checklist changes were used as measures. Early drop-outs (one or two visits) were less well adjusted than late drop-outs (three or more visits) for both adults and children, though the difference was stronger for adults. Few differences were found between late drop-outs and completers. It was concluded that outcome researchers should use routinely the same procedures for assessing drop-outs' and completers' outcomes and that improvement of early and late drop-outs should be distinguished.
Pekarik
G
G
Washburn University.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011613:Psychotherapy