NCJ Number
161787
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: special issue (February 1996) Pages: 47-61
Date Published
1996
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A treatment approach known as Multisystemic Therapy (MST) has demonstrated long-term reductions in criminal activity and violence among youth at high risk for perpetrating violence.
Abstract
A highly individualized therapeutic approach involving the family and the community, MST is consistent with social- ecological behavior models. MST therapists develop individual treatment plans designed to empower families and emphasize outcome accountability. Central aspects of MST coincide with the recent public health agenda concerning violence prevention. Moreover, as demonstrated by findings of controlled clinical trials, the success of MST supports the viability of the public health approach to treating serious juvenile offenders. MST offers at least two opportunities to prevent violence. First, youths who engage in serious antisocial behavior also engage in behavior that places them at high risk for criminal victimization. Consequently, criminal victimization can be reduced by changing high-risk behavior patterns, such as carrying weapons, staying out all night, and associating with gang members. Second, violence can be reduced by successfully targeting high-risk youths whose families are responsible for the vast majority of crimes in many communities. In light of the broad range of psychosocial difficulties exhibited by serious juvenile offenders and their cost to society, violence prevention strategies that recognize multiple determinants of criminal behavior and target youth at greatest risk of committing violent acts are essential. 40 references and 2 figures