Early dropout in men voluntarily undergoing treatment for intimate partner violence in Norway

This study investigated psychotherapy dropout rates and predictors of dropping out of therapy early. We enrolled 1,166 men voluntarily admitted to psychotherapy for violent behavior against a female partner. In total, 315 (23.8%) subjects dropped out of therapy within the first 3 sessions. Dropouts were significantly younger, more likely to have a non-Norwegian ethnic background, less likely to have received previous mental health care, and were more likely to have been treated by a student therapist. Among those treated by a student therapist, unemployment was strongly associated with early dropout. Unadjusted and adjusted results were similar. Clients and therapists may benefit by matching unemployed men with experienced therapists. Finally, the high dropout rates among ethnically non-Norwegian clients points to a need for special treatment approaches for this subgroup.