title: A multivariate analysis of dropout status by length of stay in a rural community mental health center.
abstract: Homogeneity and other characteristics of rural community mental health center adult, outpatient dropouts were investigated with particular attention to length of stay. Analyses of 93 cases during a one year period revealed that qualities of the therapist discriminated short-term dropouts from long-term dropouts and long-term terminators. The client's chronicity discriminated short-term dropouts from short-term terminators. Dropouts were not found to be a homogeneous group. While therapist characteristics may be important in predicting termination status in long-term stays, the termination status of short-term clients may be determined primarily by the severity of the client's problems and whether or not they have received previous treatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001318:Authoritarianism; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors