Relationship of missed psychotherapy appointments to premature termination and social class

Abstract

The problem of missed appointments in psychotherapy has received little empirical study. Consequently, this problem was studied in relation to several demographic and actuarial variables. Lower socio-economic status was found to be related to missed appointments and to premature termination. Missing appointments was also found to be related to dropping out of treatment. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed and suggestions offered for reducing premature termination.