title: Pilot study of an investigation of psychological factors associated with first appointment nonattendance in a low-intensity service.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonattendance rates remain high for first therapy appointments, despite initiatives to increase access to psychological therapy. The reasons for nonattendance are poorly understood and studies of demographic and clinical predictors have produced conflicting findings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to pilot a method for investigating psychological factors associated with first appointment attendance in a primary care mental health service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were completed by individuals at the point of referral to CBT with a low-intensity service in one general practice (n = 67), including a measure of beliefs, goals and attitudes towards therapy, as well as anxiety and depression scales. Subsequent attendance at the first appointment was used as an outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary results showed that attendance was not associated with age or gender, severity of distress, or overall ratings for positive or negative attitudes towards therapy; although distress itself was associated with increased endorsement of negative attitudes. However, one specific psychological item, "Talking to a therapist will help me understand better how my mind works" had a significant association with subsequent attendance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The psychological factor that was associated with increased attendance may reflect the concept of psychological mindedness; however, this requires replication in a larger study. A full-scale study was deemed to be warranted based on this prospective design.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, UK. elizabeth.murphy@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mansell
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menary
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McEvoy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult