PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS AND SUCCESS IN DAY TREATMENT

This study examined the ability of seven patient characteristics to pr edict success (remaining, benefiting) in a day treatment program for p sychiatric outpatients. The sample consisted of 165 patients, most wit h affective and personality disorders, who participated in an intensiv e psychodynamically and group-oriented program within a controlled cli nical trial. Two patient personality characteristics (psychological mi ndedness, quality of object relations) emerged as the strongest predic tors. Other variables that contributed to the predictions, either sing ly or in an interaction with quality of object relations, were age, ma rriage, presence of a personality disorder, and previous psychiatric h ospitalization. The patient's initial level of symptomatic disturbance was not a significant predictor. The advantage of using predictors th at are relevant to the theoretical and technical orientation of a prog ram is emphasized.