The effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST): a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Juvenile delinquency and associated behavioral problems require effective interventions.
• Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a recognized approach for at-risk youth.
• Evaluating MST's broad effectiveness across various outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST).
• To identify factors moderating MST's impact on juvenile outcomes.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing MST application.

Main Methods:

• A multilevel meta-analysis of 22 studies with 332 effect sizes (N=4066 juveniles).
• Analysis of primary outcome (delinquency) and secondary outcomes (psychopathology, substance use, family, peer factors, skills, cognitions).
• Moderator analyses exploring study, treatment, sample, and outcome characteristics.

Main Results:

• MST demonstrated small, significant positive effects on delinquency, psychopathology, substance use, family, and peer factors.
• No significant effects were found for skills and cognitions.
• Effectiveness was moderated by factors including age, severity of condition, study design, and treatment duration.

Conclusions:

• MST is effective for reducing juvenile delinquency and associated problems, particularly for younger adolescents with severe issues.
• Tailoring interventions to address peer relationships and school-related factors may enhance MST for older juveniles.
• Further research should focus on optimizing MST based on identified moderators for improved outcomes.