Contingency Contracting Effects on Psychotherapy Attendance and Termination at Two Community Mental Health Centers

• Main Author: Adams, Joe B. (Joe Bayless), 1949-
• Other Authors: Harrell, Ernest H.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: North Texas State University 1981
• Subjects: contingency management; treatment compliance; attendance compliance; mental health centers; Performance contracts.; Reinforcement (Psychology); Community mental health services > Utilization.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc331218/

Contingency management has been utilized to improve treatment compliance and attendance in a medical setting. A related question involves the effect of contingency management on attendance in outpatient psychotherapy. Sixty-nine individuals ranging in age from 8 to 50 years agreed to participate in such a study. These individuals agreed to sign a contract specifying consequation for failure to notify the centers 24 hours in advance of an impending absence. Data on attendance and notification of impending absences were collected weekly for five sessions. After five sessions, dropouts and remainers were interviewed and the course of treatment was discussed. For the purpose of this study, a "dropout" occurred whenever an individual terminated therapy by missing an appointment and not rescheduling, or whenever an individual missed three consecutive appointments.