Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
https://trends.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2237-60892013000300005
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Original Article

Beginning and end of treatment of patients who dropped out of psychoanalytic psychotherapy

Início e fim de tratamento de pacientes que abandonaram a psicoterapia psicanalítica

Simone Isabel Jung; Fernanda Barcellos Serralta; Maria Lucia Tiellet Nunes; Cláudio Laks Eizirik

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2237-60892013000300005 Trends Psychiatry Psychother, vol.35, n3, p.181-190, 2013
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Abstract

Introduction: Even though it is expected that patients and therapist will agree on when to terminate psychotherapy, quite often patients discontinue treatment on their own. This study aims to better understand dropout in psychoanalytic psychotherapy (PP). Method: Baseline and post-treatment interviews were conducted with six adult women classified by their therapists as dropout patients at a PP outpatient clinic. Results were analyzed using Bardin's content analysis. Results: Content analysis generated five categories (reasons for treatment, goals, readiness to change, previous treatment, transference) for the baseline interviews and three categories (change process, results, interruption) for post-treatment interviews. Unclear treatment goals, low readiness to change, early signs of negative transference and resistance, and absence of recognition of their own participation in problems emerged in baseline interviews. In most cases, the patient's evaluation of the therapeutic relationship was not determinant of dropout. Therapeutic gains, dissatisfaction, and resistance during the psychotherapeutic process seemed to be associated with noncompliance. Conclusions: Decisions to initiate, continue, or quit PP depend on multiple factors, such as initial goals, readiness to change, insight capacity, awareness of personal problems, resistance, and transference. However, these factors should be considered in view of the methodological limitations of this study. Further investigation of PP dropout is still necessary.

Keywords

Patient dropout, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, qualitative research, mental health services

Resumo

Introdução: Embora se espere que pacientes e terapeuta concordem sobre o momento da alta ou fim do tratamento, a interrupção por conta própria do paciente é bem comum. O objetivo deste estudo é compreender melhor o abandono de tratamento em psicoterapia psicanalítica (PP). Método: Entrevistas foram conduzidas no início e após o tratamento com seis mulheres adultas classificadas por seus terapeutas como tendo abandonado o tratamento em uma clínica de PP. Os resultados foram analisados utilizando-se o método de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: A análise de conteúdo deu origem a cinco categorias (razões para o tratamento, objetivos, disposição para mudar, tratamento prévio, transferência) nas entrevistas iniciais e três categorias (processo de mudança, resultados, interrupção) nas entrevistas pós-tratamento. Objetivos terapêuticos obscuros, pouca disposição para mudar, sinais de transferência negativa e resistência, e o não reconhecimento da própria participação nos problemas surgiram nas entrevistas iniciais. Na maioria dos casos, a avaliação da paciente sobre a relação terapêutica não foi determinante para o abandono. Ganhos terapêuticos, insatisfação e resistência durante o processo psicoterapêutico pareceram estar associados com a não aderência. Conclusões: As decisões de iniciar, continuar ou interromper a PP dependem de múltiplos fatores, como objetivos iniciais, disposição para mudar, capacidade de insight, consciência de problemas pessoais, resistência e transferência. No entanto, esses fatores devem ser considerados em vista das limitações metodológicas deste estudo. Mais investigações com foco no abandono da PP são necessários.

Palavras-chave

Abandono de tratamento, psicoterapia psicanalítica, pesquisa qualitativa, serviços de saúde mental

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