Do Extremely Violent Juveniles Respond Differently to Treatment?

J.J. Asscher; M. Dekovic; A.L. van den Akker; Pier J. M. Prins; Peter H. van der Laan

doi:10.1177/0306624X16670951

Do Extremely Violent Juveniles Respond Differently to Treatment?

J.J. Asscher, M. Dekovic, A.L. van den Akker, Pier J. M. Prins, Peter H. van der Laan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	958-977
Journal	International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Volume	62
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X16670951
Publication status	Published - 2018

Keywords

treatment response
multisystemic therapy (MST)
extremely violent (EV) juvenile delinquents
externalizing behavior problems
parent–adolescent relationship quality

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1177/0306624X16670951

ExtremelyFinal published version, 513 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

@article{6b27ad9f9c3f426d8dc28780d323c623,

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.",

keywords = "treatment response, multisystemic therapy (MST), extremely violent (EV) juvenile delinquents, externalizing behavior problems, parent–adolescent relationship quality",

author = "J.J. Asscher and M. Dekovic and {van den Akker}, A.L. and Prins, {Pier J. M.} and {van der Laan}, {Peter H.}",

year = "2018",

doi = "10.1177/0306624X16670951",

language = "English",

volume = "62",

pages = "958--977",

journal = "International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology",

issn = "0306-624X",