Premature dropout from Psychotherapy and Helping Skills: An empirical study

Pablo Rafael Santangelo; Karina Conde; Carlina Mangini; Silvana Montes

doi:10.17162/rccs.v17i2.2083

Authors

Pablo Rafael Santangelo Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5515-2923
Karina Conde Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Ipsibat. Conicet https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1913-8328
Carlina Mangini Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1761-4779
Silvana Montes Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Ipsibat. Conicet https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1868-7854

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17162/rccs.v17i2.2083

Keywords:

Psychotherapy, Therapeutic skills, Continuity, Dropout

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the relationship between the self-perception of therapeutic skills and the premature termination of treatments. Additionally, to assess whether there are differences among therapists regarding dropout rates and the stage of treatment where dropout is most common. Methodology: a longitudinal study with an initial clinical sample of N = 188 patients. Therapists were administered the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scales (CASES). A univariate descriptive analysis was conducted on the characteristics of the therapists and, separately, the patients. Generalized estimating equations with a binomial family, logistic link, and exchangeable correlation matrix were used to predict dropout rates. Results: insight skills increased the likelihood of continuing psychotherapy by 8%, exploration by 10%, and action by 18%. There were no significant differences between therapists and patients who dropped out during the initial sessions. Conclusion: the self-perception of therapeutic skills such as insight, exploration, and action increases the probability of continuity in psychotherapy, although no significant differences were observed in early dropout rates between therapists and patients.

e primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between self-perceived therapeutic skills and premature treatment termination. Additionally, the study aimed to determine whether there were differences among therapists regarding treatment dropout and timing of dropout. A non-experimental study was conducted with an initial clinical sample of n=188 patients and n=11 psychotherapists. Psychotherapists completed the Counsellor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES). Univariate descriptive analysis was performed to examine the characteristics of both therapists and patients. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models with a binomial family, logit link, and exchangeable correlation matrix were used for dropout prediction. The results suggested that skills associated with increased probabilities of psychotherapy sustaining were: Insight (8%), Exploration (10%), and Action (18%). No significant differences were found among therapists, and clients were more likely to drop out in the early stages of treatment. Conclusion: This work demonstrates an association between the perception of basic skills and dropout; however, this is the first study to evaluate therapist characteristics and dropout in psychotherapy within our context. Further studies are needed to better understand dropout rates in psychotherapy.

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