Dropout in Psychotherapy: Socio-demographic, Institutional and Clinical Factors

Abstract

The objective was to analyze differences in terms of socio-demographic, institutional, and clinical variables among clients who dropout the psychotherapeutic process and those who are in another situation (discharge, follow-up, and referral). We used a convenience sample of 68 individuals, aged 18-86 years (M = 40.3; SD = 15.16), who attended the adult consultation of a pedagogical Psychology clinic, was used. The results show that the participants who dropout the psychotherapeutic process are significantly younger; are all in debt in terms of payment to the clinic; do not have as many health problems; have on average less intervention time and have on average fewer sessions than those who find themselves in another situation. These data, by allowing the “profile” of those who leave psychotherapy early, enable the professional to take into account socio-demographic (e.g., age), clinical (e.g., other health problems, time of intervention and number of sessions) and institutional variables (e.g., payment type) that may need additional clinical attention.