An Exploration of Factors Associated with Clients Prematurely Exiting Psychiatric Treatment:: Implications for the Community Mental Health Centers Act

This research reports findings on factors related to clients prematurely dropping out of psychiatric treatment. The sample included 43 adults who were receiving inpatient psychiatric services prior to terminating these services early. The central findings repeat that a client is more likely to drop out of treatment early if he or she has limited input into the treatment plan and perceives this plan as not meeting his or her needs. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the 1963 Community Mental Health Centers Act.