Identifying early dropouts from a rehabilitation program for psychiatric outpatients

The attendance of 112 patients referred to an outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation program was retrospectively examined, and characteristics of dropouts were compared with those of patients who remained in treatment during the first eight weeks. Discriminant function analysis revealed that a combination of three variables correctly predicted 81 percent of the dropout group. The variables were a hostile, labile, or bizarre affect; a diagnosis of personality disorder; and impaired orientation. Patients with these characteristics require a thorough assessment of specific needs and deficits and ongoing evaluation of treatment approaches such as adaptations of psychosocial rehabilitation, dialectical behavior therapy, and assertive case management.