Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sustainability of the effects of multisystemic therapy for juvenile delinquents in The Netherlands: effects on delinquency and recidivism

  • Published:
Journal of Experimental Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The present study focused on the sustainability of the effects of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) on delinquency and recidivism.

Methods

A sample of 256 juveniles with severe and persistent antisocial behavior were randomly assigned to MST (147) and Treatment As Usual (TAU) (109) condition. Pre-test assessment took place before the start of MST/control group treatment. Post-test assessment took place at 6 months after termination of the program. Delinquency (parent and adolescent reported) was assessed 6 months after termination of the treatment. Official judicial data were collected to assess recidivism, with a mean length of follow-up of 3.06 years. ANCOVAs and survival analyses were used to test the effectiveness of MST.

Results

The multi-informant data showed that MST is effective in diminishing delinquent behavior as reported by adolescents and parents, with d’s larger than at post-test assessment immediately after ending of the intervention. The official judicial data, however, suggest that there are no differences between MST and TAU in recidivism. Few and inconsistent moderator effects were found.

Conclusions

According to parent and adolescent reports, the beneficial effects of MST were sustained at the follow-up. This was not supported by official data. These results stress the importance of using multi-informant data on delinquency, as each source of information has its own advantages and disadvantages.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). Rehabilitating criminal justice policy and practice. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 16, 39–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asscher, J. J., Deković, M., Van der Laan, P. H., Prins, P. J. M., & van Arum, S. (2007). Implementing randomized experiments in criminal justice settings: an evaluation of multi-systemic therapy in the Netherlands. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 3, 113–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Asscher, J. J., Deković, M., Manders, W. A., Van der Laan, P. H., Prins, P. J. M., & Dutch MST Cost-Effectiveness Research Group (2012). A randomized clinical trial of Multisystemic Therapy in The Netherlands. Journal of Experimental Criminology. doi: 10.1007/s11292-012-9165-9.

  • Blom, M., & Van der Laan, A. M. (2006). Monitor Jeugd Terecht. [Monitor Juveniles and the Law]. Retrieved November, 24, 2009, from: http://www.wodc.nl/onderzoeksdatabase/monitor-jeugd-terecht-2006.aspx.

  • Borduin, C. M., Mann, B. J., Cone, L. T., Henggeler, S. W., Fucci, B. R., Blaske, D. M., & Williams, R. A. (1995). Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders: long-term prevention ofcriminality and violence.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,63,569–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, S., Baruch, G., Hickey, N., & Fonagy, P. (2011). A randomized controlled trial of Multisystemic Therapy and a Statutory therapeutic intervention for young offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 50, 1220–1235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coatsworth, J. D., Santisteban, D. A., McBride, C. K., & Szapocznik, J. (2001). Brief strategic family therapy versus community control: Engagement, retention, and an exploration of the moderating role of adolescent problem severity. Family Process, 40, 313–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, N. M., Ronan, K. R., & Borduin, C. M. (2004). Multisystemic treatment: A meta-analysis of outcome studies. Journal of Family Psychology, 18, 411–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, A. J. (2002). One step forward: Lessons learned from a randomized study of Multisystemic Therapy in Canada. London, Ontario: Praxis: Research from the Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System, June 2002.

  • Deković, M., Slagt, M. I., Asscher, J. J., Boendermaker, L., Eichelsheim, V. I., & Prinzie, P. (2011). Effects of early prevention programs on adult criminal offending: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 532–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Waag. (2012). Inclusie Criteria MST. [Inclusion criteria MST]. Retrieved from: http://www.dewaagnederland.nl/docs/folders-en-flyers/multi-systeem-therapie.pdf?sfvrsn=2

  • Eisner, M. (2009). No effects in independent prevention trials: Can we reject the cynical view? Journal of Experimental Criminology, 5, 163–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enzmann, D., Haen Marshall, I., Kilias, M., Junger-Tas, J., Steketee, M., & Gruszczynska, B. (2010). Self-reported youth delinquency in Europe and beyond: First results of the second international self-report delinquency study in the context of police and victimization data. European Journal of Criminology, 7, 159–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferdinand, R. F., Van der Ende, J., & Verhulst, F. C. (2006). Prognostic value of parent-adolescent disagreement in a referred sample. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 15, 156–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., Frame, C. L., Wierson, M., Armistead, L., & Kempton, T. (1991). Assessment of incarcerated juvenile delinquents: Agreement across raters and approaches to psychopathology. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 13, 17–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J. W. (2009). Missing data analysis: making it work in the real world. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 549–576.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W. (2011). Efficacy studies to large-scale transport: The development and validation of Multisystemic Therapy programs. The Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 351–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Clingempeel, W. G., Brondino, M. J., & Pickrel, S. G. (2002). Four-year follow-up of Multisystemic Therapy with substance abusing and substance dependent juvenile offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 868–874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., Brondino, M. J., Scherer, D. G., & Hanley, J. H. (1997). Multisystemic Therapy with violent chronic juvenile offenders and their families: The role of treatment fidelity in successful dissemination. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 821–833.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., & Smith, L. A. (1992). Family preservation using Multisystemic Therapy: An effective alternative to incarcerating serious juvenile offenders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 953–961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., & Schaeffer, C. M. (2010). Treating serous emotional and behavioral problems using Multisystemic Therapy. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 31, 149–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, D. S. (2006). Examining the divergence across self-report and official data sources on inferences about the adolescent life-course of crime. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 22, 107–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krohn, M. D., Thornberry, T. P., Gibson, C. L., & Baldwin, J. M. (2010). The development and impact of self-report measures of crime and delinquency. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 26, 509–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leschied, A. W., & Cunningham, A. (2002). Seeking effective interventions for serious young offenders. Interim results of a four-year randomized study of Multisystemic Therapy in Ontario, Canada. London (CA): Centre for children and families in the justice system of the London Family Court Clinic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Littell, J. H., Popa, M., & Forsythe, B. (Eds.). (2005). Multisystemic Therapy for social, emotional, and behavior problems in youth age 10-17. Cochrane Library, issue 3. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nathan, P. E., Stuart, S. P., & Dolan, S. L. (2000). Between psychotherapy efficacy and effectiveness: Between Scylla and Charybdis? Psychological Bulletin, 126, 964–981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, T., & Amlund Hagen, K. (2006). Multisystemic Treatment of serious behaviour problems in youth: Sustainability of treatment effectiveness two years after intake. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 11, 142–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, T., & Halliday-Boykins, C. A. (2004). Multisystemic Treatment of antisocial adolescents in Norway: Replication of clinical outcomes outside of the US. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 9, 77–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oosterlaan, J., Scheres, A., Antrop, I., Roeyers, H., & Sergeant, J. A. (2000). Vragenlijst voor Gedragsproblemen bij Kinderen (VvGK). Handleiding. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrosino, A., & Soydan, H. (2005). The impact of program developers as evaluators on criminal recidivism: Results from meta-analyses of experimental and quasi- experimental research. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 435–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrosino, A., Turpin-Petrosino, C., & Buehler, J. (2003). Scared Straight and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency: A systematic review of the randomized experimental evidence. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 589, 41–61. doi:10.1177/0002716203254693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, A. J., Temple, J. D., Ou, S. R., Robertson, D. L., Mersky, J. P., Topitzes, J. W., & Niles, M. D. (2007). Effects of a school-based, early childhood intervention on adult health and well-being. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 161, 730–739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland, M. D., Halliday-Boykins, C. A., Henggeler, S. W., Cunningham, P. B., Lee, T. G., Kruesi, M. J. P., et al. (2005). A randomized trial of Multisystemic Therapy with Hawaii’s Felix Class Youths. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13, 13–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, A. M., & Borduin, C. M. (2011). Effects of Multisystemic Therapy through midlife: A 21.9 year follow-up to a randomized clinical trial with serious and violent juvenile offenders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79, 643–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, M. D., & Shadish, W. R. (1997). Outcome, attrition, and family couples treatment for drug abuse: A meta-analysis and review of the controlled, comparative studies. Psychological Bulletin, 122, 170–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundell, K., Hansson, K., Löfholm, C. A., Olsson, T., Gustle, L. H., & Kadesjö, C. (2008). The transportability of Multisystemic Therapy to Sweden: Short-term results from a randomized trial of conduct-disordered youths. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 550–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons-Mitchell, J., Bender, M. B., Kishna, M. A., & Mitchell, C. C. (2006). An independent effectiveness trial of Multisystemic Therapy with juvenile justice youth. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35, 227–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tran, N. T. (2010). Moderators of Multisystemic Therapy outcome for children with Conduct Disorders. Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tromp, N. B., & Koot, H. M. (2010). Self- and parent report of personality pathology: informant agreement and relations to dysfunction. Journal of Personality Disorders, 24, 151–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Put, C. E., Stams, G. J. J. M., Hoeve, M., Deković, M., Spanjaard, H. J. M., Van der Laan, P. H., & Barnoski, R. P. (2012). Changes in the relative importance of dynamic risk factors for recidivism during adolescence. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 56, 296–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhulst, F., Koot, J. M., Akkerhuis, G. W., & Veerman, J. W. (1990). Praktische handleiding voor de CBCL [CBCL manual]. Assen/Maastricht: Van Gorcum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verhulst, F., & Van der Ende, J. (1992). Agreement between parents’ and adolescents’ self-reports of problem behavior. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33, 1011–1023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wartna, B. S. J. (2005). Evaluatie van daderprogramma’s. Een wegwijzer voor onderzoek naar de effecten van strafrechtelijke interventies speciaal gericht op het terugdringen van recidive (Evaluation of offender programmes. A guide to research into effects of penal interventions aimed at reducing recidivism). The Hague: WODC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisburd, D., & Gill, C. (2013). Block Randomized Trials at Places: Rethinking the Limitations of Small N Experiments. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. doi:10.1007/s10940-013-9196-z.

  • Weisz, J. R., Jensen-Doss, A., & Hawley, K. M. (2006). Evidence-based youth psychotherapies versus usual clinical care: A meta-analysis of direct comparisons. American Psychologist, 61, 671–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahn, M. A., Day, J. C., Mihalic, S. F., & Tichavsky, L. (2009). Determining what works for girls in the Juvenile Justice System: A summary of evaluation evidence. Crime and Delinquency, 55, 266–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw). We thank the therapists and staff of the care and treatment organizations ‘De Waag’ and ‘Yorneo’ for their cooperation, and we thank the adolescents and families who participated in the project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Jessica J. Asscher

  2. Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Maja Deković

  3. University of Applied Sciences Arnhem/Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands

    Willeke Manders

  4. Free University Amsterdam/NSCR, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Peter H. van der Laan

  5. Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Pier J. M. Prins

  6. De Waag Forensic Outpatient Treatment Center, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Sander van Arum

Authors
  1. Jessica J. Asscher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maja Deković
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Willeke Manders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peter H. van der Laan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pier J. M. Prins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sander van Arum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

Dutch MST Cost-Effectiveness Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica J. Asscher.

Additional information

Members: D.E.M.C. Jansen, K.M. Vermeulen, E. Buskens, E.J. Knorth, and S.A. Reijneveld

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Asscher, J.J., Deković, M., Manders, W. et al. Sustainability of the effects of multisystemic therapy for juvenile delinquents in The Netherlands: effects on delinquency and recidivism. J Exp Criminol 10, 227–243 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-013-9198-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-013-9198-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation