Predicting patient dropout from an obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment program
Loading...
Links to Files
Permanent Link
Author/Creator
Author/Creator ORCID
Date
2014-07-14
Type of Work
Department
Towson University. Department of Psychology
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Rights
Copyright protected, all rights reserved.
There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
Subjects
Abstract
Although exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an effective intervention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it is often accompanied by patient dropout. The literature on predictive factors for dropout is inconclusive. The current sample consisted of 103 patients from the Houston OCD Program who had a primary diagnosis of OCD. Chi-square analyses were conducted to examine the effect of ethnicity, education level, and level of care on dropout. Multiple t-tests were carried out to examine whether OCD severity, depressive symptom severity, insight, and avoidance tendencies influenced dropout. Caucasian individuals were significantly more likely to complete treatment. Moreover, those who participated in the residential program were significantly more likely to complete treatment. Those who dropped out were also more likely to engage in cognitive reappraisal, which is associated with avoidance tendencies. Future research should include a larger sample size. Researchers should explore symptoms measured just before termination as opposed to at pre-treatment.