Factors associated with length of treatment in a barrio-neighbourhood mental health service.

Factors which discriminate between lower socio-economic largely Mexican-Americans who continue in treatment for few interviews, from those who continue longer were investigated. Demographic and treatment data were obtained from 356 consecutive cases. The factors which significantly differentiate short from long treatment contact patients were: self-referral, age, marital instability, and complaints of anxiety, depression, social or family incompatibilities. Non-self referral and financial or situation problems characterise the short treatment patient. While there were few Anglos in the sample they were disproportionately high in the long treatment group.