Can a special therapy keep young offenders out of trouble?
NCT ID NCT03035877
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a therapy called Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA) for young people aged 16-26 with substance use issues and recent arrests. The therapy works with the young adult and their social network at home and in the community to reduce criminal behavior and substance use. Researchers compared it to standard treatment and measured changes in criminal charges, substance use, and life skills over 16 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA) - a home- and community-based behavioral therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this therapy could provide an effective way to reduce criminal behavior and substance use in young adults, helping them build stable, productive lives.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study with 183 participants, so results are available but may not apply to all settings. Behavioral interventions can vary in effectiveness depending on individual circumstances and support systems.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
183 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2017
- Finished
-
Apr 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
16 to 26 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 16 to 26 years * Recent arrest or release from jail/prison/detention (within the past 18 months but excluding arrest for parole/probation violations) * Presence of alcohol or drug (AOD) abuse disorder and recent AOD use (within the past 90 days) * Able to reside in a stable community setting (not currently homeless, not currently in-patient; can include individuals ready for discharge to the community) Exclusion Criteria: * Actively psychotic, suicidal, or homicidal * Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) or mental retardation * Sex offending as the primary offense type
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Antisocial behavior are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
North American Family Institute
Hamden, Connecticut, 06518, United States
-
North American Family Institute
Hartford, Connecticut, 06114, United States
-
North American Family Institute
New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
-
Youth Villages
Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.