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Pilot Study of an Investigation of Psychological Factors Associated with First Appointment Nonattendance in a Low-Intensity Service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2012

Elizabeth Murphy ,
Warren Mansell ,
Sally Craven ,
Joanne Menary  and
Phil McEvoy
Elizabeth Murphy*
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
Warren Mansell
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
Sally Craven
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
Joanne Menary
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
Phil McEvoy
Affiliation:
Six Degree Social Enterprise CIC, Salford, UK
*
Reprint requests to Elizabeth Murphy, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, School of Psychological Sciences, 2nd Floor Zochonis Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. E-mail: elizabeth.murphy@manchester.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background: Nonattendance rates remain high for first therapy appointments, despite initiatives to increase access to psychological therapy. The reasons for nonattendance are poorly understood and studies of demographic and clinical predictors have produced conflicting findings. Aims: We aimed to pilot a method for investigating psychological factors associated with first appointment attendance in a primary care mental health service. Method: Questionnaires were completed by individuals at the point of referral to CBT with a low-intensity service in one general practice (n = 67), including a measure of beliefs, goals and attitudes towards therapy, as well as anxiety and depression scales. Subsequent attendance at the first appointment was used as an outcome. Results: Preliminary results showed that attendance was not associated with age or gender, severity of distress, or overall ratings for positive or negative attitudes towards therapy; although distress itself was associated with increased endorsement of negative attitudes. However, one specific psychological item, “Talking to a therapist will help me understand better how my mind works” had a significant association with subsequent attendance. Conclusions: The psychological factor that was associated with increased attendance may reflect the concept of psychological mindedness; however, this requires replication in a larger study. A full-scale study was deemed to be warranted based on this prospective design.

Keywords

NonattendanceattitudesCBTlow-intensitypsychological mindedness
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 41 , Issue 4 , July 2013 , pp. 458 - 469
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2012 

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