Self-Described Reasons for Premature Termination of Psychotherapy by Mexican American, Black American, and Anglo-American Patients

Abstract

This study investigated reasons given by Mexican American, black American, and Anglo-American patients for prematurely terminating psychotherapy. 74 patients who had prematurely left therapy in a public psychiatric outpatient clinic were interviewed. The three ethnic groups did not appear to be significantly different in their responses. However, dominant reasons reported for terminating therapy included negative attitudes toward therapists and perceiving therapy as of no benefit.