Something that sets MST apart from some other treatments is that it has evidence—concrete evidence—from tests and studies. There have been three decades of research that confirms MST reduces criminal activity and out-of-home placements for violent and chronic offenders.
Results Show:
- long-term re-arrest rates reduced by 25-70 percent
- out-of-home placements reduced by 47-64 percent
- families functioning much better
- decreased substance use
- fewer mental-health problems for serious juvenile offenders
And MST’s positive results are long lasting
A 14-year follow-up study by the Missouri Delinquency Project showed youths who received MST had:
- up to 54 percent fewer re-arrests
- up to 57 percent fewer days of incarceration
- up to 68 percent fewer drug-related arrests
- up to 43 percent fewer days on adult probation
MST is committed to continuing its program evaluation and has a quality assurance program that provides all MST programs around the world with tools to assess the adherence of therapists, supervisors and organizations to the MST model.
Download the complete list of MST outcome studies
