Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)
Definition
Scott Henggeler's community-based intensive family therapy for serious juvenile offenders, targeting all ecological levels (family, peers, school, neighbourhood) simultaneously. Has strong RCT evidence for reducing arrest rates at follow-up.
- Developer
- Scott Henggeler
- Target population
- Serious juvenile offenders
- Approach
- Family, peers, school and neighbourhood together
- Setting
- Community-based, not residential
- Evidence base
- RCT-supported reduction in re-arrest rates
Common questions
How does MST differ from placing a juvenile offender in residential treatment?+
MST is delivered in the young person's own home and community rather than removing them to an institution, on the premise that behaviour driven by family, peer and school factors is better changed by intervening directly in those settings.
What outcome measure is typically used to judge MST's success?+
Follow-up arrest and re-offending rates compared against a control group are the standard outcome, rather than in-treatment behavioural ratings, which is why the randomised controlled trial evidence carries particular weight.
Related terms
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