Mental health problems and antisocial behaviour in adolescents Mental and Behavioural Disorders Conduct disorders
Conditions
Interventions
START I:
MST is offered to families for a period of three to six months, depending on individual family needs. Treatments offered in the MAU arm are widely varied, depending on resourc
it is expected that some families will require briefer periods of treatment or may prematurely terminate treatment unilaterally. MST is delivered by a team of at least 3 specially trained clinicians
Sponsors
University College London (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Candidates (both males and females) will be referred if they meet 3 of the following features indicative of 'risk status': 1. Excluded or at significant risk of school exclusion 2. High levels of non attendance at school 3. An offending history or at significant risk of offending 4. Previous episodes on the Child Protection Register 5. Previous episodes of being looked after 6. Previous referral to Family Group Conference (FGC) to prevent young person from becoming looked after 7. History of siblings being looked after Referrals considered suitable by the panel will be included in the trial if they meet the following general inclusion criteria: 1. Young person aged 11-17 years 2. Sufficient family involvement for MST to be applied, excluding adolescents already in local authority care or foster accommodation 3. No existing agency involvement (e.g., the family is already engaged with a therapist) which would interfere with MST 4. Meets ONE of the following set of criteria indicating suitability for MST: 4.1. Persistent (weekly) and enduring (6 months or longer) violent and aggressive interpersonal behaviour OR 4.2. A significant risk of harm to self or to others OR 4.3. At least one conviction and three warnings, reprimands or convictions in the last 18 months OR 4.4. Current diagnosis of externalising disorder and a record of unsuccessful outpatient treatment OR 4.5. Permanent school exclusion
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. History or current diagnosis of psychosis 2. Generalised learning problems (clinical diagnosis) as indicated by IQ below 65 3. Risk of injury or harm to a worker 4. Presenting issues for which MST has not been empirically validated
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| START I: Proportion of cases assigned to long-term (3 months+) out of home placements in specialist residential provision at 18 months following randomisation START II: Reduction in the number of criminal convictions in the MST arm compared to MAU at 5-year follow-up | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| START I 1. Demographic information is measured using the Family Information Form completed by the parent at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 18 months if necessary 2. Antisocial behaviour (time to first criminal offence and the total number of offences) is collected from the Police National Computer and the Young Offender Information System at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 3. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes (behavioural problems) and young people’s and parental wellbeing are measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by the parent and young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 4. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes (callous and unemotional traits) are measured by the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU) completed by the parent and young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 5. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes (conduct problems) are measured by the Self-Report Delinquency measure (SRD) completed by the young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 6. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes (anti-social beliefs and attitudes) are measured by the Antisocial Beliefs and Attitudes Scales (ABAS) completed by the young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 7. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes (materialistic values) are measured by the Youth Materialism Scale completed by the young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 8. Antisocial behaviour and attitudes and young people’s adjustment (ADHD symptoms) are measured by the ADHD subscale of the Conners Rating Scale completed by the parent and teacher at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 9. Parenting controls are measured by the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire focused on skills for monitoring and supervision (APQ) completed by the parent and young person at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months 10. Family functioning (parental supervisio | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed