Do Extremely Violent Juveniles Respond Differently to Treatment?

This study increases knowledge on effectiveness of treatment for extremely violent (EV) youth by investigating their response to multisystemic therapy (MST). Using data of a randomized controlled trial on effectiveness of MST, we investigated differences in treatment response between EV youth and no...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Asscher, Jessica J. (Author) ; Deković, Maja 1961- (Author) ; Van den Akker, Alithe L. (Author) ; Prins, Pier J. M. (Author) ; Van der Laan, Peter H. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2018
In: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
Year: 2018, Volume: 62, Issue: 4, Pages: 958-977
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Keywords:
Treatment response
Multisystemic therapy (MST)
Extremely violent (EV) juvenile delinquents
Externalizing behavior problems
Parent–adolescent relationship quality
Gewalttätige Jugendliche
Multisystemische Therapie
Jugenddeliquenz
Description
Summary:This study increases knowledge on effectiveness of treatment for extremely violent (EV) youth by investigating their response to multisystemic therapy (MST). Using data of a randomized controlled trial on effectiveness of MST, we investigated differences in treatment response between EV youth and not extremely violent (NEV) youth. Pre- to post-treatment comparison indicated MST was equally effective for EV and NEV youth, whereas treatment as usual was not effective for either group. Growth curves of within-treatment changes indicated EV youth responded differently to MST than NEV youth. The within-treatment change was for EV youth non-linear: Initially, they show a deterioration; however, after one month, EV juveniles respond positively to MST, indicating longer lasting, intensive programs may be effective in treating extreme violence.
ISSN:1552-6933
DOI:10.1177/0306624X16670951