Dropout from Internet-based treatment for psychological disorders

• Published in: British journal of clinical psychology 2010-11, Vol.49 (4), p.455-471
• Main Authors: Melville, Katherine M., Casey, Leanne M., Kavanagh, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - psychology; Anxiety Disorders - therapy; Attrition; Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy; Behavioural psychology; Behavioural sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Cognitive Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Depressive Disorder - therapy; Dropouts; Dropping out; Female; Humans; Internet; Internet - statistics & numerical data; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Motivation; Patient Compliance - psychology; Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data; Patient Dropouts - psychology; Patient Dropouts - statistics & numerical data; Psychological disorders; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - therapy; Termination; Therapy, Computer-Assisted - statistics & numerical data; Treatment methods; Treatments
• ISSN: 0144-6657; 2044-8260
• DOI: 10.1348/014466509X472138

Purpose. The purpose of this review was to present an in‐depth analysis of literature identifying the extent of dropout from Internet‐based treatment programmes for psychological disorders, and literature exploring the variables associated with dropout from such programmes. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PSYCHINFO and PUBMED with the keywords: dropouts, drop out, dropout, dropping out, attrition, premature termination, termination, non‐compliance, treatment, intervention, and program, each in combination with the key words Internet and web. A total of 19 studies published between 1990 and April 2009 and focusing on dropout from Internet‐based treatment programmes involving minimal therapist contact were identified and included in the review. Results. Dropout ranged from 2 to 83% and a weighted average of 31% of the participants dropped out of treatment. A range of variables have been examined for their association with dropout from Internet‐based treatment programmes for psychological disorders. Despite the numerous variables explored, evidence on any specific variables that may make an individual more likely to drop out of Internet‐based treatment is currently limited. Conclusions. This review highlights the need for more rigorous and theoretically guided research exploring the variables associated with dropping out of Internet‐based treatment for psychological disorders.