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. 2018 Aug 17:12:44.
doi: 10.1186/s13034-018-0248-x. eCollection 2018.

Multidimensional family therapy in adolescents with a cannabis use disorder: long-term effects on delinquency in a randomized controlled trial

Thimo M van der Pol  1   2 , Vincent Hendriks  1 , Henk Rigter  1 , Moran D Cohn  2 , Theo A H Doreleijers  2 , Lieke van Domburgh  2   3 , Robert R J M Vermeiren  1   2
Affiliations

Multidimensional family therapy in adolescents with a cannabis use disorder: long-term effects on delinquency in a randomized controlled trial

Thimo M van der Pol et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. .

Abstract

Background: Substance use and delinquency are considered to be mutual risk factors. Previous studies have shown that multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) is effective in tackling both conditions on the short term. The current study examines the long-term effects of MDFT on criminal offending.

Methods: 109 adolescents with cannabis use disorder and comorbid problem behavior were randomly assigned to either MDFT or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Police arrest data were collected for 6 years: 3 years prior to and 3 years after treatment entry. Using survival analysis and repeated measure General Linear Models (rmGLM), the two treatment groups were compared on number of arrests, type of offence, and severity of offence. Moderator analyses looking at age, disruptive behavior disorders, history of crimes, family functioning, and (severe) cannabis use were conducted (rmGLM).

Results: While police arrest rates increased in the 3 years before treatment, the rates decreased substantially after the start of both treatments. No differences were found between the treatment groups with respect to either time to first offence from the start of the treatment or changes in frequency or severity of offending over time. A treatment effect trend favoring MDFT was found for property offending in the subgroup of adolescents with high baseline-severity of cannabis use.

Conclusions: Across a follow-up period of 3 years, MDFT and CBT were similarly effective in reducing delinquency in adolescents with a cannabis use disorder.Trial registration ISRCTN51014277, Registered 17 March 2010-Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN51014277.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cannabis use disorder; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Criminality; Delinquency; Multidimensional family therapy; Randomized controlled trial.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow chart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan-Meier survival curves, showing the duration until first registered police arrest after the start of treatment with MDFT or CBT. MDFT multidimensional family therapy, CBT cognitive behavioural therapy
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean number of total offences (all offences together) per year from the start of CBT and MDFT treatment. CBT cognitive behavioural therapy, MDFT multidimensional family therapy. Bars: standard deviation
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mean number of violent offences per year from the start of CBT and MDFT treatment. CBT cognitive behavioural therapy, MDFT multidimensional family therapy. Bars: standard deviation
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean number of property offences per year from the start of CBT and MDFT treatment. CBT cognitive behavioural therapy, MDFT multidimensional family therapy. Bars: standard deviation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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