Multisystemic Therapy for Youth With Problem Sexual Behaviors (MST-PSB)
Problems addressed
Juvenile delinquency
Sexual violence
Crime and delinquency (multiple types)
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Residence / home
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a multisystemic therapy program for the treatment of adolescents aged 13 to 17 with a history of sexual crimes and other problematic behaviors, as well as their families. The aim is to develop social and problem-solving skills to modify belief systems or attitudes related to sexual crime.
In general, the activities are aimed at the family and the adolescents with the goal of reducing denial by the parents and the child of the sexual crime committed and its consequences, as well as to improve the parents’ knowledge, eliminate obstacles to effective education of the children, and promote affection and communication among family members.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants experienced a decrease in symptoms over time and parents reported a reduction in behavioral problems. There was an improvement in peer relationships, a decrease in criminal behavior, and fewer arrests [1].
The study carried out a controlled clinical trial with a sample of 48 adolescent sex offenders, 24 of them in the treatment condition and 24 in the control group condition. The average duration of follow-up was 8.9 years, with completion in 30.8 weeks [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Borduin, C. M., Schaeffer, C. M. & Heiblum, N. (2009). A randomized clinical trial of multisystemic therapy with juvenile sexual offenders: Effects on youth social ecology and criminal activity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(1), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013035

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