The relationship between anxiety and premature termination from psychotherapy at a university clinic
by Lewis, Sandi L. Shappell, Ph.D., THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, 2007, 78 pages; 3282638

Abstract:

The present study examined the relationship between anxiety and premature termination, and the effect of depression and a proxy measure of impulsivity on this relationship. Extensive research has been conducted that has focused on the prediction of premature termination from psychotherapy, but many of the results have been inconclusive. One common result from the extant literature is that nearly half of therapy clients reportedly terminate from therapy prematurely, but there has been little consensus regarding which variables best predict dropout. Some evidence has suggested that more severe symptoms, such as anxiety, might predict persistence in therapy. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that clients with higher levels of physiological hyperarousal, a specific component of anxiety, would be less likely to terminate prematurely. This prediction was thought to be evident only in clients with low levels of social anxiety; higher physiological hyperarousal was predicted to increase odds of premature termination in clients with higher levels of social anxiety. In addition, it was hypothesized that clients with higher levels of depression would be more likely to terminate therapy prematurely. The possible moderating effect of a proxy measure of impulsivity on the hypothesized relationships was also examined. To test these hypotheses, hierarchical logistic regression analyses were applied to a sample of client data from a large university outpatient therapy clinic. Analyses were repeated for the total sample, high social anxiety group, and low social anxiety group. Although the results did not support the primary hypothesized relationship between physiological hyperarousal and premature termination, trends were present that suggested some limited support for the proposed predictive relationship between depression and premature termination, even after controlling for initial symptom severity. Limitations and recommendations for future premature termination research are discussed.

 
Advisor
SchoolTHE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 68-09, p. , Dec 2007
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsClinical psychology
Publication Number3282638
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3282638
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.