Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for Youth Offending, Psychiatric Disorder and Substance Abuse: Case Examples from a UK MST Team

Authors: Wells, Charles; Adhyaru, Jai; Cannon, Jacqueline; Lamond, Moira; Baruch, Geoffrey

Source: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Volume 15, Number 3, September 2010 , pp. 142-149(8)

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Abstract:

Background:

The paper illustrates the MST treatment model with three types of presenting problem in young people aged 14-15. Method:

The MST model is described and then illustrated with detailed case material from a violent young person convicted of robbery, a young person with a history of serious self-harming behaviour and hospitalisation, and a young person persistently smoking cannabis. Results:

All three cases improved after the MST intervention despite disparate presenting problems that included re-offending, the elimination of self-harming behaviour and a significant reduction in the use of cannabis. The three young people were re-integrated into the education system. Conclusion:

This case series illustrates the potential uses of the MST model in CAMHS although RCT data are needed to replicate the effectiveness of MST in the British context.

Keywords: Multisystemic therapy; youth dependency; psychiatric disorder; substance abuse

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-3588.2009.00555.x

Publication date: 2010-09-01