Psychosocial Support Programme for Young Men at Risk: Who Participates, Who Drops Out?

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of men who do or do not adhere to a psychosocial support programme. The study involved 170 young men exempted from compulsory military or civil service. The data were collected in a randomised controlled trial by using questionnaires and official registers in Finland. The support programme specifically reached out to young men who had psychological distress and suffered from an accumulation of psychosocial problems. However, men with the most problems could not be reached at all. This study highlights the complexity of adherence to psychosocial interventions. Young men who do not adhere to preventative interventions are a heterogeneous group of men. The need for support can vary a great deal even within an identified risk group.