Predicting patient dropout from an obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment program

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.