Do Extremely Violent Juveniles Respond Differently to Treatment?

• Published in: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology Vol. 62; no. 4; pp. 958 - 977
• Main Authors: Asscher, Jessica J., Deković, M., Van den Akker, Alithe L., Prins, Pier J. M., Van der Laan, Peter H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2018; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Clinical trials; Deterioration; Juvenile delinquency; Multisystemic therapy; Parent-adolescent relations; Studies; Treatment outcomes; Violence; Youth; parent–adolescent relationship quality; multisystemic therapy (MST); treatment response; externalizing behavior problems; extremely violent (EV) juvenile delinquents
• ISSN: 0306-624X; 1552-6933
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X16670951

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.