A multivariate analysis of dropout status by length of stay in a rural community mental health center.

Homogeneity and other characteristics of rural community mental health center adult, outpatient dropouts were investigated with particular attention to length of stay. Analyses of 93 cases during a one year period revealed that qualities of the therapist discriminated short-term dropouts from long-term dropouts and long-term terminators. The client's chronicity discriminated short-term dropouts from short-term terminators. Dropouts were not found to be a homogeneous group. While therapist characteristics may be important in predicting termination status in long-term stays, the termination status of short-term clients may be determined primarily by the severity of the client's problems and whether or not they have received previous treatment.