Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Family preservation using multisystemic treatment: Long-term follow-up to a clinical trial with serious juvenile offenders

  • Regular Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Child and Family Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a randomized clinical trial, multisystemic family preservation was shown to significantly reduce rates of criminal activity and incarceration in a sample of 84 serious juvenile offenders and their multi-need families. In the current study, archival records were searched for re-arrest an average of 2.4 years post-referral. Survival analysis showed that youths who received multisystemic family preservation were less likely to be re-arrested than were youths who had received usual services. Such results represent the first controlled demonstration that family preservation, when delivered via a clearly specified treatment model, has lasting effects with serious juvenile offenders. Implications for family preservation and juvenile justice research are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, J. F., & Parsons, B. V. (1982).Functional family therapy. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • AuClaire, P., & Schwartz, I. M. (1986).An evaluation of the effectiveness of intensive home-based services as an alternative to placement for adolescents and their families. Minneapolis, MN: Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barth, R. P. (1988). Theories guiding home-based intensive family preservation services. In J. K. Whittaker, J. Kinney, E. M. Tracy, & C. Booth (Eds.),Improving practice technology for work with high-risk families: Lessons from the “Homebuilders” social work education project. Seattle, WA: Center for Social Welfare Research, University of Washington School of Social Work.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biegel, D. E., & Wells, K. (1991). Introduction. In K. Wells & D. E. Biegel (Eds.),Family preservation services research and evaluation (pp. xiii-xxiii). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979)The ecology of human development: Experiences by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C. M., Henggeler, S. W., Blaske, D. M., & Stein, R. (1990). Multisystemic treatment of adolescent sexual offenders.International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 34, 105–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C. M., Mann, B. J., Cone, L. T., Henggeler, S. W., Fucci, B. R., Blaske, D. M., & Williams, R. A. (1993).Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders: Long-term prevention of violent offending. Manuscript submitted for publication.

  • Brunk, M., Henggeler, S. W., & Whelan, J. P. (1987). Comparison of multisystemic therapy and parent training in the brief treatment of child abuse and neglect.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55 171–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, L. H. (1991). Evaluating the impact of intensive family preservation services in New Jersey. In K. Wells & D. E. Biegel (Eds.),Family preservation services research and evaluation (pp. 47–71). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankel, H. (1988). Home-based family treatment: A quantitative-qualitative assessment.The Journal of Applied Social Sciences, 12 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, D. A., Arbuthnot, J., Gustafson, K. E., & McGreen, P. (1988). Home-based behavioral-systems family therapy with disadvantaged juvenile delinquents.The American Journal of Family Therapy, 16 243–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhouse, J. B., Stangl, D., & Bromberg, J. (1989). An introduction to survival analysis: Statistical methods for analysis of clinical trial data.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57 536–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra, N. G., & Slaby, R. G. (1990). Cognitive mediators of aggression in adolescent offenders: 2. Intervention.Developmental Psychology, 26 269–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haapala, D., & Kinney, J. (1979). Homebuilders' approach to the training of in-home therapists. In S. Maybanks & M. Bryce (Eds.),Home-based services for children and families (pp. 248–259). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haapala, D. A., & Kinney, J. M. (1988). Avoiding out-of-home placement of high-risk status offenders through the use of intensive home-based family preservation services.Criminal Justice and Behavior, 15 334–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazelrigg, M. D., Cooper, H. M., & Borduin, C. M. (1987). Evaluating the effectiveness of family therapies: An integrative review and analysis.Psychological Bulletin, 101 428–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W. (1989).Delinquency in adolescence. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W. (1991). Multidimensional causal models of delinquent behavior and their implications for treatment. In R. Cohen & A. W. Siegel (Eds.),Context and development (pp. 211–231). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., & Borduin, C. M. (1990).Family therapy and beyond: A multisystemic approach to treating the behavior problems of children and adolescents. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., & Borduin, C. M. (in press). Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders and their families. In I. M. Schwartz (Ed.),Family- and home-based services. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., & Smith, L. A. (1992). Family preservation using multisystemic therapy: An effective alternative to incarcerating serious juvenile offenders.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 953–961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Rodick, J. D., Borduin, C. M., Hanson, C. L., Watson, S. M., & Urey J. R. (1986). Multisystemic treatment of juvenile offenders: Effects on adolescent behavior and family interaction.Developmental Psychology, 22 132–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huesman, L. R., Lefkowitz, M. N., Eron, L. D., & Walder, L. O. (1984). Stability of aggression over time and generations.Developmental Psychology, 20 1120–1134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knitzer, J. (1982).Unclaimed children: The failure of public responsibility to children and adolescents in need of mental health services. Washington, D.C.: Children's Defense Fund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knitzer, J. E., & Cole, E. S. (1989).Family preservation services: The policy challenge to state child welfare and child mental health systems. New York: Bank Street College of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R. (1982). The stability of antisocial and delinquent child behavior: A review.Child Development, 53 1431–1446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maybanks, S., & Bryce, M. E. (1978).Home-based services for children and families: Policy, practice, and research. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulvey, E. P., Arthur, M. A., & Reppucci, N. D. (1990).Review of Programs for the prevention and treatment of delinquency (Office of Technology Assessment). Washington, D.C.: U. S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, K. E. (1990). Family based services for juvenile offenders.Children and Youth Services Review, 12 193–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, K. E., Landsman, M. J., & Deutelbaum, W. (1990). Three models of family-centered placement prevention services.Child Welfare, 69 3–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pecora, P. J., Fraser, M. W., & Haapala, D. A. (1991). Client outcomes and issues for program design. In K. Wells & D. E. Biegel (Eds.),Family preservation services research and evaluation (pp. 3–33). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C. (1987). Institutional treatment. In H. C. Quay (Ed.),Handbook of juvenile delinquency (pp. 244–265). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Respnicki, T. L., Schuerman, J. R., & Littell, J. H. (1992, December).Do family preservation services work? Findings from a large scale experimental study. Symposium presented at the 6th annual National Association for Family Based Services Empowering Families Conference, Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (1982).SAS users guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, J. D., & Willett, J. B. (1991). Modeling the days of our lives: Using survival analysis when designing and analyzing longitudinal studies of duration and the timing of events.Psychological Bulletin, 110 268–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, I. M., AuClaire, P., & Harris, L. J. (1991). Family preservation services as an alternative to the out-of-home placement of adolescents: The Hennepin County experience. In K. Wells & D. E. Biegel (Eds.),Family preservation services research and evaluation (pp. 33–47). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tavantzis, T. N., Tavantzis, M., Brown, L. G., & Rohrbaugh, M. (1985). Home-based structural family therapy for delinquents at risk of placement. In M. P. Mirking & S. Koman (Eds.),Handbook of adolescent and family therapy (pp. 69–88) New York: Gardner Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolan, P. H., Cromwell, R. E., & Brasswell, M. (1986). Family therapy with delinquents: A critical review of the literature.Family Process, 25 619–650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracy, E. M. (1991). Defining the target population for family preservation services. In K. Wells & D. E. Biegel (Eds.),Family preservation services: Research and evaluation (pp. 138–158). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, J. K., Schinke, S. P., & Gilchrist, L. D. (1986). The ecological paradigm in child, youth, and family services: Implications for policy and practice.Social Service Review, 60 483–503.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center on Children, Families, and the Law, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

    Gary B. Melton Ph.D. (Professor and Director)

  2. Piedmont Center for Mental Health, Simpsonville, SC

    Linda A. Smith B.A. (Child and Adolescent Coordinator of Special Projects)

  3. Division of Children, Adolescents, and their Families, South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Columbia, SC

    Jerome H. Hanley Ph.D. (Director)

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, 29425, Charleston, SC

    Scott W. Henggeler Ph.D. (Professor) & Sonja K. Schoenwald M.A. (Clinical Psychology Intern)

Authors
  1. Scott W. Henggeler Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary B. Melton Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Linda A. Smith B.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sonja K. Schoenwald M.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jerome H. Hanley Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Henggeler, S.W., Melton, G.B., Smith, L.A. et al. Family preservation using multisystemic treatment: Long-term follow-up to a clinical trial with serious juvenile offenders. J Child Fam Stud 2, 283–293 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321226

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321226

Key words

Search

Navigation