MST is an Effective Evidence-Based Treatment
Many new treatments for juvenile offenders show promising results in research settings but when provided in a real-world setting they fail to yield the same results. Oftentimes, when new treatments are transported from the laboratory, they lose their effectiveness. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive family- and community-based treatment that addresses the multiple determinants of serious antisocial behavior in adolescents. MST has a strong research history demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing crime, violence, and substance use. Download a list of all published studies here. What’s more, MST has been successfully implemented in over 34 states and 15 countries, getting superior results for the youth and families it serves.
Take for instance the 12,127 families that received standard MST in 2013. Analysis of data collected through the MST Institute at the time of discharge showed that 89 percent of the youths were still in the home, 84 percent were in school or working and 85 percent had avoided re-arrest during treatment. These families had at least one adolescent at risk of placement outside the home because of truancy, substance use, aggression towards family or community members, vandalism, and other crimes. Without MST, these teenagers might have been locked up at a high cost to the community, themselves, and their families.
How does MST get such good real-world results? A key component is therapists’ adherence to the MST model. Research has established that adherence to the MST model is associated with long-term positive outcomes for the youth. The MST Institute assesses whether the therapists are delivering the same treatment provided in the research studies. Therapist adherence is assessed monthly by the families they serve with real-time results available to their supervisors and consultants. MST teams of therapists receive ongoing training and support from MST experts to ensure adherence. Adherence scores range from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum score to predict positive long-term outcomes for youth is 0.61. In 2013, MST teams across the world achieved an average adherence score of .76. This average adherence score has been steadily increasing over time. These results show that MST’s processes for team training, support, and evaluation are effective at maintaining high-quality treatment. Communities implementing MST will be able to deliver a treatment that works for their troubled youth. MST truly helps families to keep their children at home, in school, and out of trouble.
For the full data report, click here
To learn more about MST, download this white paper: What Makes MST such an Effective Intervention.
