Citation

Asscher JJ, Deković M, Van den Akker AL, Prins PJ, van der Laan PH. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2016; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X16670951

PMID

27794135

Abstract

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.

© The Author(s) 2016.

Language: en