Multisystemic Treatment of Substance-Abusing and -Dependent Juvenile Delinquents: Effects on School Attendance at Posttreatment and 6-Month Follow-Up

• NCJ Number: 255588
• Journal: Children’s Services: Social Policy, Research, and Practice Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: 1999 Pages: 81-93
• Author(s): Tamara Lynette Brown; Scott W. Henggeler; Sonja K. Schoenwald; Michael J. Brondino; Susan G. Pickrel
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effectiveness of multisystemic therapy (MST) in promoting school participation among substance-abusing and dependent juvenile offenders with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity.

Abstract

Youth were randomly assigned to receive MST compared with usual community-based services. Results indicated that MST (but not usual services) significantly increased school attendance at posttreatment, and that these treatment gains were maintained at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Explanations for the findings and directions for future research are discussed. (publisher abstract modified)