Summary of Studies on MST
| Study Details | Sample Characteristics | Treatment Characteristics | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Study | Design | Sample Size | Mean Age (SD) (Yrs) | % Male | Race Distribution (White/Black/Hispanic) | Sexual Offense Criterion (Mean) | Comparison Arm | Participant Distributions: Comparison/MST | Treatment Setting | Treatment Duration (Mean (SD)) | Follow-up | Outcome |
| 1 | Borduin et al. 1990 (USA)7 | RCT | 16 | 14 | 100% | 62.5%/37.5% | Sexual Offense (1.8) | Individual therapy | Comp = 8, MST = 8 | Outpatient | MST = 37h, IT = 45h | 36 mos | Sexual offenses - Recidivism rates: MST vs. IT: 12.5% vs. 75% (P < 0.04), Rearrest frequency: MST vs. IT: Mean = 0.12 vs. 1.62 (P < 0.027) |
| 2 | Letourneau et al. 2009 (USA)8 | RCT | 127 | 14.6 (1.7) | 97.6% | 44%/54%/31% | Diverted or adjudicated for sexual offense | Treatment as usual | Comp = 60, MST = 67 | Community based | MST = 7.1 mos (2.8), TAU = 14.6 mos (11) (A), 8.2 mos (5.5) (B) | 6, 12 mos | MST youth had significantly greater reduction in problematic sexual behavior over time (on ASBI). |
| 3 | Borduin et al. 2009 (USA)9 | RCT | 48 | 14 (1.9) | 95.8% | 72.9%/27.1%/2.1% | Arrests for sexual offense (1.6) | Community service (CBT and IT) | Comp = 24, MST = 24 | Community based | MST = 7 mos (2.8), CS = 6.9 mos (4.14) | 8.9 yrs | MST participants had 83% fewer arrests for sexual crimes and spent 80% fewer days in detention facilities. |
| 4 | Fonagy et al. 2015 (UK)10 | RCT | 40 | 13.4 | 90% | 43%/43% | Problematic sexual behaviors | Treatment as usual | Comp = 19, MST = 21 | Community based | MST = 6 mos (1) | 8, 12, and 20 mos | Both interventions suggested improvements in problematic sexual behavior (on ASBI and police record)a |
| 5 | Letourneau et al. 2013b (USA)11 | RCT | 124 | 14.7 (1.7) | 100% | 44%/54%/30% | Diverted or adjudicated for sexual offense | Treatment as usual | Comp = 58, MST = 66 | Community based | MST = 7 mos (3), TAU = 12.5 mos (9.9) | 18, 24 mos | MST treatment effects were sustained during second year follow up for youth with problematic sexual behavior (on ASBI). |
| 6 | Borduin et al. 2021c (USA)12 | RCT | 48 | 14 (1.9) | 95.8% | 72.9%/27.1%/2.1% | Arrests for sexual offense (1.6) | Community service (CBT and IT) | Comp = 24, MST = 24 | Community based | MST = 7.1 mos (2.8), CS = 6.9 mos (4.1) | 24.9 yrs | MST group: 13.13 times lower rates for sexual offense (P < 0.01) and 8.27 times fewer arrests for sexual offenses (P = 0.02) |
aStatistical analysis was not feasible given limited sample strength.
bExtension of Letourneau et al. 20098.
cExtension of Borduin et al. 20099.
Abbreviations: A, probation youth; ASBI, Adolescent Sexual Behavior Inventory; B, diverted youth; CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy; Comp, comparison; h, hours; IT, individual therapy; mos, months; MST, multisystemic therapy; TAU, treatment as usual; UK, United Kingdom; USA, United States of America; yrs, years.