Predictors of dropout from community clinic child CBT for anxiety disorders

•The dropout rate from community clinics CBT for child anxiety disorders was 14.4%.•There were no significant differences in dropout rate between ICBT and GCBT.•Predictors of overall, early and late dropout could be identified.•Treatment credibility and parent internalizing symptoms were significant predictors of dropout.

The aim was to investigate predictors of treatment dropout among 182 children (aged 8–15 years) participating in an effectiveness trial of manual-based 10-session individual and group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders in community clinics. The dropout rate was 14.4%, with no significant difference between the two treatment conditions. We examined predictors for overall dropout (n = 26), early (≤session 4, n = 15), and late dropout (≥session 5, n = 11). Overall dropout was predicted by low child and parent rated treatment credibility, and high parent self-rated internalizing symptoms. Low child rated treatment credibility predicted both early and late dropout. High parent self-rated internalizing symptoms predicted early dropout, whereas low parent rated treatment credibility predicted late dropout. These results highlight the importance of addressing treatment credibility, and to offer support for parents with internalizing symptoms, to help children and families remain in treatment.