Intervention Summary
Multisystemic Therapy With Psychiatric Supports (MST-Psychiatric)
Multisystemic Therapy With Psychiatric Supports (MST-Psychiatric) is designed to treat youth who are at risk for out-of-home placement (in some cases, psychiatric hospitalization) due to serious behavioral problems and co-occurring mental health symptoms such as thought disorder, bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity. Youth receiving MST-Psychiatric typically are between the ages of 9 and 17. The goal of MST-Psychiatric is to improve mental health symptoms, suicidal behaviors, and family relations while allowing youth to spend more time in school and in home-based placements. Like standard MST, on which it is based, MST-Psychiatric has its foundation in social-ecological and social learning systems theories. It includes specific clinical and training components for staff designed to address (1) safety risks associated with suicidal, homicidal, or psychotic behaviors in youths, (2) the integration of evidence-based psychiatric interventions, (3) contingency management for adolescent and parent/caregiver substance abuse, and (4) evidence-based assessment and treatment of youth and parent/caregiver mental illness.
MST-Psychiatric teams intervene primarily at the family level, empowering parents and caregivers with the skills and resources to effectively communicate with, monitor, and discipline their children. The intervention assists parents and caregivers in engaging their children in prosocial activities while disengaging them from deviant peers. In addition, it addresses individual and systemic barriers to effective parenting. The intervention is delivered in the family's natural environment (e.g., home, school, community) daily when needed and for approximately 6 months. A MST-Psychiatric team consists of a full-time doctoral-level supervisor, four master's-level therapists, a part-time psychiatrist, and a bachelor's-level crisis caseworker. Teams have an ongoing consultative relationship with an MST expert consultant and an MST expert psychiatrist who provide an initial 5-day training, weekly consultation, and quarterly booster trainings.
Descriptive Information
Areas of Interest | Mental health treatment |
Outcomes |
1: Mental health symptoms 2: Family relations 3: School attendance 4: Suicide attempts 5: Days in out-of-home placement |
Outcome Categories |
Education Family/relationships Mental health Social functioning Suicide Treatment/recovery |
Ages |
6-12 (Childhood) 13-17 (Adolescent) |
Genders |
Male Female |
Races/Ethnicities |
Asian Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander White |
Settings |
Home School Other community settings |
Geographic Locations |
Urban Suburban |
Implementation History |
MST-Psychiatric was first developed and evaluated in a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). A second randomized clinical trial was conducted. The intervention was being assessed as part of a larger project in New York City. MST-Psychiatric has been implemented with more than 350 families in the following sites:
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NIH Funding/CER Studies |
Partially/fully funded by National Institutes of Health: Yes Evaluated in comparative effectiveness research studies: Yes |
Adaptations | No population- or culture-specific adaptations of the intervention were identified by the developer. |
Adverse Effects | No adverse effects, concerns, or unintended consequences were identified by the developer. |
IOM Prevention Categories | IOM prevention categories are not applicable. |
Quality of Research
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Readiness for Dissemination
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Costs
The cost information below was provided by the developer. Although this cost information may have been updated by the developer since the time of review, it may not reflect the current costs or availability of items (including newly developed or discontinued items). The implementation point of contact can provide current information and discuss implementation requirements.
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