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Sustaining change following multisystemic therapy: caregiver's perspectives
Author(s) -
Kaur Pinder,
Pote Helen,
Fox Simone,
Paradisopoulos Daphne A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1111/1467-6427.12093
Subject(s) - alliance , feeling , psychology , intervention (counseling) , psychotherapist , therapeutic relationship , grounded theory , family therapy , clinical psychology , qualitative research , psychiatry , social psychology , social science , sociology , political science , law
Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an empirically supported intervention for young people presenting with antisocial behaviour. This study explored the process of sustaining positive outcomes following MST from caregiver perspectives. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out 5–21 months post‐MST with 12 caregivers. A grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the data. Caregivers in this study identified the following themes as contributing to sustaining change; improvements in their relationship with their child, shifting how they viewed difficulties and solutions and feeling personally strengthened and resilient. The therapeutic alliance in MST was described as important in initiating these changes. Clinical implications and how the themes from this study fit into the existing model of change in MST are discussed. Practitioner points Caregivers validated the therapeutic alliance as key to the MST approach. Experiencing a positive therapeutic alliance was also identified as important in improving relationships within the family even after therapy was completed. Positive experiences of MST developed caregivers’ experiences of feeling more resilient in the face of later difficulties helping sustain positive outcomes.