The treatment of psychiatric disorders depends on a combination of different types of care, such as psychiatric treatment and psychosocial interventions. However, there is little research on the factors that determine access to care, particularly to psychosocial interventions.

To characterize the use of psychosocial interventions (psychotherapy, day hospital, and psychosocial rehabilitation) in users of outpatient psychiatric services in Portugal.

This retrospective study analyses all outpatient psychiatric visits in four Portuguese departments of psychiatry in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, and aims to evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical determinants of psychosocial interventions.

Socio-demographic and clinical variables were obtained from clinical charts of outpatients’ visits in 2002, 2007 and 2012 (n = 2621). All patients were characterized regarding the use of any psychosocial intervention beyond psychiatric consultations. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors of psychosocial interventions use.

Being followed in 2012, being single, having no professional activity, and having a diagnosis of psychosis or common mental disorder were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with higher odds of accessing psychosocial interventions. On the other hand, a lower level of education was associated with less use of this type of care.

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of psychiatric services, outpatients are determinants of the use of psychosocial interventions. Evidence suggests that social inequalities may influence the access to psychosocial interventions in Portugal.

Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal.