Relationship of Referral Source, Race, and Wait Time on Preintake Attrition

This study assessed whether referral source, client race, and wait time contributed to the preintake dropout rates in a large urban community mental health center in the northwestern United States. The data were collected from archival records maintained by the mental health agency's intake department. A total of 1,105 participants were documented over a 2-year period spanning 2000 and 2001. The results indicated that individuals who referred themselves for services were more likely to attend an initial intake appointment than those who were referred by others. Conversely, neither race nor wait time was significantly related to preintake attrition. Implications for psychologists are discussed.