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Antisocial BehaviorMST-EANCT02922335

Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults Trial

A study testing Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults and Enhanced Treatment as Usual in people with Antisocial Behavior, run by University of Massachusetts, Worcester at 4 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study's purpose is to test the effectiveness of a promising intervention for emerging adults (EAs) with mental illness (MI) and serious antisocial behavior in achieving the ultimate outcome of reduced antisocial behavior, and proximal intermediate outcomes. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 16 to 26 years
Conditions the study is for
Antisocial Behavior
What is being tested?
Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults and Enhanced Treatment as Usual
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
193 participants
Where
4 sitesUnited States
Study dates
1 Sep 2016to 31 Jan 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 16 to 26 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • age 16-26
  • recent arrest or release from jail/prison/detention (within the past 18 months but excluding arrests for probation/parole violations)
  • presence of mood, anxiety, and/or psychotic disorders
  • able to reside in a stable community setting (not currently homeless, not currently inpatient; can include individual ready for discharge to the community)
  • subject consent

Who cannot join

  • actively psychotic, suicidal, or homicidal
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or mental retardation
  • sex offending as the primary antisocial behavior
  • adults unable to consent will also be excluded from this study

Trial locations and contacts

4 sites in 1 country.

United States4 sites
  • North American Family Institute

    Hamden, Connecticut, 06518

  • North American Family Institute

    Hartford, Connecticut, 06114

  • Youth Villages

    Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601

  • North American Family Institute

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06510

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness Trial of Treatment to Reduce Serious Antisocial Behavior in Emerging Adults With Mental Illness

This study's purpose is to test the effectiveness of a promising intervention for emerging adults (EAs) with mental illness (MI) and serious antisocial behavior in achieving the ultimate outcome of reduced antisocial behavior, and proximal intermediate outcomes. Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA) is an adaptation of MST, a well-established, effective intervention for antisocial behavior in adolescents.

Read the detailed description

Serious antisocial behavior, including criminal offending, is extremely costly to society. Rates of such behavior are highest during emerging adulthood. Antisocial behavior is especially high among emerging adults (EAs) with mental illness (MI); findings suggest the majority of EAs with MI will be arrested by age 25, most with multiple arrests, and for serious charges. Thus, there is a clear public health need for effective treatments to reduce serious antisocial behavior in EAs with MI. Astonishingly, there are no established interventions with evidence of efficacy to reduce serious antisocial behavior among EAs, with or without MI. Effective antisocial behavior interventions in adolescents address the comprehensive causes of that behavior. Similarly, this team has developed and completed research on a well-defined age-tailored intervention for EAs with MI and serious antisocial behavior that addresses the correlates of EA antisocial behavior, and provides MI treatment. The intervention is an adaptation of the well-established effective juvenile antisocial behavior intervention, Multisystemic Therapy (MST). MST-EA is a single source that targets the EA correlates of antisocial behavior, including gainful activity (school, work, housing, and positive relationships) and reduced substance use, in part by targeting the proximal mechanism of poor self-regulation. MST-EA also addresses these correlates through reducing MI symptoms. The investigative team has already established the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of this type of intervention in a successfully completed community-based open trial (R34MH081374-01, PI: Davis). The proposed study will rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of MST-EA for reducing serious antisocial behavior. Specifically, 240 EAs with MI and recent arrests or release from justice facilities will be randomized to receive MST-EA or Enhanced Treatment as Usual (E-TAU). Assessments will be completed at months 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16, with confirmation of outcome data using system records. The first aim will be to evaluate the effect over time of MST-EA for improving the ultimate outcome of treatment: reduced serious antisocial behavior. The second aim is to evaluate the effect of MST-EA on (a) the key proximal target of treatment (self-regulation) and (b) the proposed intermediate outcomes of treatment (gainful activity, substance use, and MI problems). The final aim will be to determine whether MST-EA's effect on the ultimate outcome is the result of its effect on the proximal target and intermediate outcomes of treatment. There is a current absence of any antisocial behavior treatments with demonstrated efficacy in this age group. The ultimate effect of the proposed research would be decreased antisocial behavior and other public health-related behaviors (MI symptoms, substance use, homelessness, unemployment) among one of the highest-risk populations of individuals with MI. With an emphasis on treatment mechanisms and the near absence of MI research focused on EAs, this innovative research has high potential to advance the field.

Being tested
Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults, Enhanced Treatment as Usual
Keywords
Antisocial Behavior, Mental Illness, Emerging Adulthood, Criminal Behavior, Serious Mental Illness
Medical subject headings
Antisocial Personality Disorder, Mental Disorders, Criminal Behavior

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging AdultsBehavioural

    Also called Multisystemic Therapy for Transition-Age Youth (MST-TAY)

    MST-EA is a home-based therapy in which therapists work closely with each young adult. Therapists often also work with the young person's family, as appropriate. MST-EA is designed to help young people work on their own behavior. This treatment also involves the use of coaches who help young people develop skills for young adulthood.

  • Enhanced Treatment as UsualBehavioural

    Also called E-TAU

    Standard services that a young person would receive if they have been in trouble with the law and also have a mental illness.

Study groups in NCT02922335
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Multisystemic Therapy - Emerging AdultsExperimentalMultisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) is designed to help emerging adults (ages 18-21) with mental illness who have been in trouble with the law. MST-EA is a treatment program specifically for emerging adults, to increase skills and capacities that can help them reduce their antisocial behavior and help reduce problems caused by mental health illness, and alcohol or drug use when present.
Receives: Behavioral: Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults
Enhanced Treatment as UsualActive comparatorWith Enhanced Treatment as Usual (E-TAU) emerging adults will get the treatments that they usually receive when they have a mental illness and have been in trouble with the law. They will receive travel vouchers for attending services, a card with an individualized list of contacts when in crisis, and facilitation with identifying need of services and accessing those services.
Receives: Behavioral: Enhanced Treatment as Usual

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in number and severity of criminal charges in official records in the 16 months pre-baseline compared with the 16 months post-baseline.

    Changes from the Baseline in offending, measured in the number of offenses in the Self-Report Offending Scale, during the 16 months post-baseline.

    Measured: 16 months pre-baseline compared with 16 months post-baseline

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Self-efficacy (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Self-efficacy measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  2. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Goal directness (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Goal directness measured using Wills Self Control Measures (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  3. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Responsibility taking (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Responsibility taking measured using sub-scale of the Behavioral Indicators of Conscientiousness (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  4. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Symptoms (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    The number and severity of symptoms measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  5. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Treatment Usage (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    The number of hospitalizations, Emergency Room visits and treatment usage for psychiatric reasons (Self-Report and Archival records).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  6. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Drug Screens (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    The number of positive drug screens from toxicology testing for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, and cocaine.

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  7. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Substance Use and Problems(measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Frequency of substance use and substance-related problems reported on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  8. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Antisocial Peers (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Antisocial Peer Involvement measured using the Peer Delinquency Scale (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  9. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Interpersonal Competence (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Social Conflict and social functioning measured in the Interpersonal Competence Scale (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  10. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Housing stability (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Housing stability as reported by participant and archival.

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  11. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline Relationships (measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Network of Relationships Inventory (Self Report).

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

  12. Changes from Baseline scores compared to 16 months post-Baseline School and Work(measured at 0,2,4,6,8,12 and 16 months).

    Days in school or work measured as reported by participant and archival.

    Measured: Baseline to16 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted4 Oct 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start1 Sep 2016
  3. Primary completion1 Sep 2022
  4. Study completion31 Jan 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
193 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02922335
Sponsor's protocol ID
H0009053
Other IDs
1R01MH108793-01
Acronym
MST-EA
Status last verified
May 2023
First submitted
26 Jul 2016
Last updated
7 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes

Publications

  • Sheidow AJ, McCart MR, Davis M. Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults With Serious Mental Illness and Justice Involvement. Cogn Behav Pract. 2016 Aug;23(3):356-367. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.09.003.

    PubMed 28458504
  • Davis M, Sheidow AJ, McCart MR. Reducing recidivism and symptoms in emerging adults with serious mental health conditions and justice system involvement. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2015 Apr;42(2):172-90. doi: 10.1007/s11414-014-9425-8.

    PubMed 25023764

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults and Enhanced Treatment as Usual in people with Antisocial Behavior, run by University of Massachusetts, Worcester at 4 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 4 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in number and severity of criminal charges in official records in the 16 months pre-baseline compared with the 16 months post-baseline. (time frame: 16 months pre-baseline compared with 16 months post-baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02922335, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Jul 2026.

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