Factors Contributing to the Refusal of Psychotherapy as Perceived by a Sample of Patients

Abstract

The present study aims at revealing the factors contributing to the refusal of psychotherapy as perceived by a sample of 143 patients in seven mental health hospitals in Saudi cities. A 23 item questionnaire was designed and various statistical analysis techniques were implemented to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings showed that the psychopharmacological treatment, the frequent visits to hospitals and length of psychological sessions contributed the most to the underutilization of psychotherapy. Several suggestions were drawn from the results, which the researcher hopes to be considered by the psychologists, psychiatrists and top officials as part of their real effort to encourage patients to use psychotherapy.