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Treating Serious Emotional and Behavioural Problems Using Multisystemic Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2012

Scott W. Henggeler*
Affiliation:
Family Services Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States of America.henggesw@musc.edu.
Cindy M. Schaeffer
Affiliation:
Family Services Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, United States of America.
*
*Address for correspondence: Scott W. Henggeler, Family Services Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, McClennan Banks Building 4th Floor, 326 Calhoun Street, STE MC406, Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, USA.
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Abstract

Multisystemic therapy (MST) is a family- and community-based treatment of serious emotional and behavioural problems presented by adolescents. The development of this model began in the late 1970s, and today MST is a leading evidence-based treatment of serious antisocial behaviour in youths, with programs transported to more than 30 states in the United States and 12 nations, including Australia and New Zealand. This article rerviews the theoretical rationale that underlies MST and presents the central clinical features of the intervention model. In addition, the training and quality assurance protocols used to promote MST program fidelity and treatment adherence are described. Finally, findings from approximately 15 published randomised and two quasi-experimental clinical trials with youths presenting serious clinical problems (e.g., violence, substance abuse, serious emotional disturbance, sexual offending, and chronic illness) are summarised.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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