Browsing by Author "Turkia, Mirva"

Objectives. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is one of the most studied interventions for adolescent conduct disorder and new results of the efficacy of it is published every year. Earlier reviews have come up to some extent with inconsistent results of the efficacy of MST. The objectives of this thesis were to view the most recent findings of treating adolescent conduct disorders with MST, to evaluate the reliability of this information and especially view those factors that make MST an efficient intervention. Methods. Background information, latest reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials were searched from Pubmed and Helka databases. Three of the most recent reviews or meta-analyses and six randomised controlled trials which were published after the latest review were included. Results and conclusions. The results of the efficacy of MST were mostly positive, but partly inconsistent. There was some variation in the quality of research methods and the accuracy of reporting the results which influenced the results of this review. The most efficient factors in MST were directing the treatment towards parenting skills as well as the multi-sidedness, flexibility and continuous follow- up of the efficacy of the treatment. If the treatment as usual is of good quality, MST may not bring any added value. All in all, MST is a useful intervention especially if there is not suitable clinical pathway for adolescent conduct disorder already.