Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA) for Substance Abuse

NCT03035877 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 1R01DA041425-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 183
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 4

Brief Summary

This study's purpose is to examine the effectiveness of a promising intervention for emerging adults (EAs) with alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse and justice involvement in achieving the ultimate outcome of reduced criminal activity. The study will also examine that effect on intermediate outcomes as follows: 1) reduced AOD use; 2) greater gainful activity (increased educational success, employment and housing stability; decreased antisocial peer involvement and relationship conflict); 3) and greater improvement in self-regulation (self-efficacy, goal directedness and responsibility taking). The intervention to be tested is Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA). MST-EA is an adaptation of MST, a well-established, effective intervention for antisocial behavior in adolescents.

Conditions

Antisocial Behavior

Keywords

Antisocial Behavior; Alcohol Abuse; Drug Abuse; Young Adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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 16 months pre-Baseline in offending as measured by the number and severity of criminal charges in official records compared to 16 months post-Baseline.

  16 months pre-Baseline compared with 16 months post-Baseline.

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

  Offending behaviors as measured using the Self-Report Offending Scale (self-reports).

  Baseline to 16 months.

Secondary Outcomes (12)

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

  Baseline to 16 months.

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

  Baseline to 16 months.

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

  Baseline to 16 months.

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

  Baseline to 16 months.

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

  Baseline to 16 months.

Study Arms (2)

Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will receive Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults.

Behavioral: Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults

Enhanced Treatment as Usual

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will have access to an enhanced version of services typically delivered to young adults who have a substance use disorder and have been in trouble with the law.

Behavioral: Enhanced Treatment as Usual

Interventions

Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults BEHAVIORAL

MST-EA is a home- and community-based treatment for emerging adults (ages 17-21) that aims to address antisocial behavior and problems caused by substance use disorders. The model also addresses co-occurring mental health problems when present. Therapists work directly with the young adult and his/her social network. This treatment also involves the use of coaches who help young people develop skills for young adulthood.

Also known as: MST-EA

Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults

Enhanced Treatment as Usual BEHAVIORAL

With Enhanced Treatment as Usual (E-TAU), emerging adults will get the treatments that they usually receive when they have a substance use disorder and have been in trouble with the law. In addition, 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.

Also known as: E-TAU

Enhanced Treatment as Usual

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• Actively psychotic, suicidal, or homicidal
• Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) or mental retardation
• Sex offending as the primary offense type

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Massachusetts, Worcester: collaborator
• Chestnut Health Systems: lead
• Connecticut Department of Children and Families: collaborator
• North American Family Institute: collaborator
• Court Support Services Division: collaborator
• Youth Villages: collaborator
• Oregon Social Learning Center: collaborator

Study Sites (4)

North American Family Institute

Hamden, Connecticut, 06518, United States

Location

North American Family Institute

Hartford, Connecticut, 06114, United States

Location

North American Family Institute

New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States

Location

Youth Villages

Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Antisocial Personality Disorder; Alcoholism; Substance-Related Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personality Disorders; Mental Disorders; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders

Study Officials

• Ashli J Sheidow, Ph.D.

  Chestnut Health Systems

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Maryann Davis, Ph.D.

  University of Massachusetts, Worcestor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Senior Research Scientist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2017
• First Posted: January 30, 2017
• Study Start: August 28, 2017
• Primary Completion: March 23, 2023
• Study Completion: April 13, 2023
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (4)