title: Do Extremely Violent Juveniles Respond Differently to Treatment?
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.
authors: 1 University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Jessica J
authors: JJ
authors: Asscher
authors: 2 Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Deković
authors: 1 University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Alithe L
authors: AL
authors: Van den Akker
authors: 1 University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Pier J M
authors: PJM
authors: Prins
authors: 3 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|4 Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Peter H
authors: PH
authors: Van der Laan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014754:Violence
keywords: externalizing behavior problems; extremely violent (EV) juvenile delinquents; multisystemic therapy (MST); parent–adolescent relationship quality; treatment response