Long-term effects of multisystemic therapy on caregivers of serious and violent juvenile offenders
Abstract
This study examined caregiver criminal and civil court outcomes 26 years following treatment for serious and violent juvenile offenders who participated in either a family-based treatment (multisystemic therapy, MST) or individual therapy (IT). Results showed that for caregivers in the MST condition, the rates of arrests for felonies and misdemeanors, respectively, were 97% and 66% lower than for caregivers in the IT condition. In addition, caregivers in the MST condition were sentenced to 70% fewer years of incarceration and 98% fewer years of probation. Furthermore, caregivers in the MST condition were 52% less likely to be involved in a civil suit reflecting family instability. The benefits of MST to caregivers of delinquent youths are important for administrators and policymakers to consider when allocating scarce financial resources to interventions for serious and violent juvenile offenders.
Degree
M.A.