Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults MST-EA (NIDA)

MST-EA NIDA will test a treatment for serious antisocial behavior (i.e., criminal offending) and co-occurring alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse in emerging adults (EAs). Prevalence of AOD abuse and criminal activity is highest during emerging adulthood compared to any other developmental period, and causes extraordinary costs to society. They also frequently occur together; EAs (ages 17-21) with AOD abuse have greater incarceration rates than EAs without AOD abuse, and AOD-abusing offenders have significantly more recidivism, severe offending, and incarceration than other offenders. Such serious behavior interferes with successful transition into adulthood –school completion, employment, housing. Thus, there is a strong public health need for effective treatment to reduce AOD abuse and justice involvement in EAs. The intervention to be tested in this study 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. This study will evaluate MST-EA’s effectiveness and the mechanisms of action for treatments in this population. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

Year Project Began: 2016
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Co-Investigator:

• Michael R. McCart, Ph.D.

Formerly Affiliated Principal Investigators:

• Ashli J. Sheidow, Ph.D.
• Maryann Davis, Ph.D.

Formerly Affiliated Co-Investigator:

• Jason E. Chapman, Ph.D.