Multisystemic therapy in adoptive families
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Multisystemic therapy in families of adopted young people referred for antisocial behavioural problems
IRAS ID
194490
Contact name
BRONWYN HARRISON
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 6 days
Research summary
Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an intervention provided to the families of young people showing behaviour problems such as criminal, aggressive, or antisocial behaviour. Families are seen two to three times a week for three to five months.
MST has been shown to be effective at treating behaviour problems in young people who are living with their biological families. However, anecdotal reports from MST therapists highlight concerns around poor outcomes from adoptive families. Whilst there is no formal evidence to suggest that MST does not work in adoptive families, literature highlights the particular difficulties experienced by adopted versus non-adopted young people. Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that MST does work in adoptive populations.
This project will first assess whether MST is effective in causing behaviour change in adoptive families by reviewing each participants outcome data over the course of the intervention. Secondly, the project will explore adoptive parents’ experience of MST through the use of semi-structured interviews, focusing on aspects of the intervention that promoted and hindered change and the context of adoption throughout the intervention experience.
The MST programme has already seen adaptations to better suit the needs of other vulnerable groups. It is hoped that findings from the current project could also be used to make recommendations to the MST programme developers around potential adaptations to better suit the needs of families of adopted young people.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0431
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion