FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DROPOUT IN A GROUP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPYFOR MOOD DISORDERS

The high prevalence of premature attrition from psychotherapy is a phe nomenon which has been well recognized in the psychological literature . The pressing concern that a number of clients may not be benefiting from treatment because they are dropping out has led to a plethora of research in the area of individual psychotherapy. No studies, however, have attempted to investigate the characteristics of dropout in group cognitive behaviour therapy for depression. To address this gap in re search, the present study examined the factors associated with dropout in a group cognitive behaviour therapy for depression, using 131 Ss w ho went through the group therapy for 12 weeks. The results showed tha t sociodemographic measures (e.g. age) and measures of depressive symp toms (e.g. depression scores) did not discriminate dropouts from compl eters. An investigation of patterns of mood changes in the course of t he therapy also failed to find significant differences between the dro pouts and completers. However, weekly therapist rating of client parti cipation revealed that dropouts participated significantly less than c ompleters during the therapy sessions. The results are discussed in li ght of the findings of current literature and future research in prema ture attrition. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.