Abstract

The central goal of this study is to identify factors associated with children's differential response to an empirically validated treatment designed to reduce serious youth antisocial behavior and delivered in community-based settings. Specifically, this longitudinal study will examine a transactional model of treatment response and non-response that focuses on the interaction of child (biological), family, environment and treatment adherence variables that are likely to influence treatment outcome in community mental health care settings. A total of 185 families receiving an evidence-based treatment (Multisystemic therapy; MST) in community settings will be assessed 5 times (pre treatment, twice midtreatment, post treatment, follow-up) using a multi source, multi method assessment battery. Components of the transactional model guiding this investigation will be tested by linking child factors that have been identified in basic science (child emotional responsiveness, indexed by cortisol levels) and treatment outcome research (parent psychopathology, therapist adherence, parenting practices, environmental stressors) as potential mediators and moderators of treatment outcome among antisocial youth. The general aims of this single group longitudinal study are to:
Aim 1 : Examine individual, family, and environmental factors that may contribute directly and/or indirectly to treatment adherence to evidence-based treatment procedures and to treatment outcome.
Aim 2 : Evaluate the role of therapist adherence in predicting changes in caregiver behavior; and determine whether interactions among pretreatment individual and family characteristics and environmental stressors during treatment moderate the association between adherence and changes in family practices.
Aim 3 : Determine whether changes in parenting practices during treatment mediate the relationship between therapist adherence and changes in youth antisocial behavior.
Aim 4 : Examine basic science questions regarding treatment related changes in youth emotional reactivity in the context of evidence-based treatment.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH068813-04
Application #
7384390
Study Section
Interventions Research Review Committee (ITV)
Program Officer
Sherrill, Joel
Project Start
2005-05-01
Project End
2010-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$489,950
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
183710748
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29425

  Publications

Winiarski, D Anne; Schechter, Julia C; Brennan, Patricia A et al. (2017) Adolescent Physiological and Behavioral Patterns of Emotion Dysregulation Predict Multisystemic Therapy Response. J Emot Behav Disord 25:131-142
Crandal, Brent R; Foster, Sharon L; Chapman, Jason E et al. (2015) Therapist perception of treatment outcome: Evaluating treatment outcomes among youth with antisocial behavior problems. Psychol Assess 27:710-725
Tiernan, Kristine; Foster, Sharon L; Cunningham, Phillippe B et al. (2015) Predicting early positive change in multisystemic therapy with youth exhibiting antisocial behaviors. Psychotherapy (Chic) 52:93-102
Robinson, Brittany A; Winiarski, D Anne; Brennan, Patricia A et al. (2015) Social context, parental monitoring, and multisystemic therapy outcomes. Psychotherapy (Chic) 52:103-110
Ryan, Stacy R; Cunningham, Phillippe B; Foster, Sharon L et al. (2013) Predictors of Therapist Adherence and Emotional Bond in Multisystemic Therapy: Testing Ethnicity as a Moderator. J Child Fam Stud 22:122-136
Ryan, Stacy R; Brennan, Patricia A; Cunningham, Phillippe B et al. (2013) Biosocial processes predicting multisystemic therapy treatment response. Biol Psychol 92:373-9
Glebova, Tatiana; Foster, Sharon L; Cunningham, Phillippe B et al. (2012) Examining therapist comfort in delivering family therapy in home and community settings: development and evaluation of the Therapist Comfort Scale. Psychotherapy (Chic) 49:52-61
Schechter, Julia C; Brennan, Patricia A; Cunningham, Phillippe B et al. (2012) Stress, cortisol, and externalizing behavior in adolescent males: an examination in the context of multisystemic therapy. J Abnorm Child Psychol 40:913-22