Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect: A Randomized Effectiveness Trial
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Richard Faldowski, Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: The primary purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized effectiveness trial of Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) for physically abused youth (mean age = 13.88 years, 55.8% female, 68.6% Black) and their families. Eighty-six families being followed by Child Protective Services due to physical abuse were randomly assigned to MST-CAN or Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (EOT), with both interventions delivered by therapists employed at a community mental health center. Across five assessments extending 16 months post baseline, intent-to-treat analyses showed that MST-CAN was significantly more effective than EOT in reducing youth mental health symptoms, parent emotional distress, parenting behaviors associated with maltreatment, youth out-of-home placements, and changes in youth placement. Also, MST-CAN was significantly more effective at improving natural social support for parents. Effect sizes were in the medium to large range for most outcomes examined. Although fewer children in the MST-CAN condition experienced an incident of reabuse than did counterparts in the EOT condition, base rates were low and this difference was not statistically significant. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential for broad-based treatments of child physical abuse to be effectively transported and implemented in community treatment settings.
Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect: A Randomized Effectiveness Trial
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Created on 5/10/2012
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Journal of Family Psychology, 24(4), 497-507
- Language: English
- Date: 2010
- Keywords
- physical abuse, child maltreatment, Multisystemic Therapy, trauma, MST-CAN