Objective: This study compares multisystemic therapy (MST) to family skills training combined with case management in community mental health for emotionally disturbed youth. Method: A pre-post quasiexperimental design was used. Results: Youth who received MST experienced more improved mental health symptoms, less juvenile justice involvement, and improvement across the linear combination of school functioning, family functioning, mental health symptoms, substance abuse, risk of self-harm, and disruptive or aggressive behavior than did youth who received usual services. Both groups experienced significant improvement in youth functioning. Conclusions: The use of MST in community mental health could prevent families from relinquishing custody of their children to receive effective treatment for them and avert juvenile justice involvement.
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