Client Compliance: Can Community Mental Health Outcomes Be Predicted?

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis project was to gain predictive insight into client behaviors that may affect treatment outcomes. This thesis uses data originally collected for a dissemination trial of Cognitive Behavioral therapy being introduced into Texas' community mental health system. Clients that attend scheduled therapy sessions and complete assigned homework to a higher degree are demonstrating better compliance with their treatment. It was hypothesized that those behaviors while factoring in symptom severity and amount of therapy would predict final treatment outcomes as measured by a decrease in symptoms. Multiple regression analysis of 85 participants all diagnosed with Major Depression Disorder was conducted. Results indicate that attendance and homework were not contributing factors in the prediction of treatment outcomes.