The role of cultural factors in engagement and change in Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Simone Fox, Fatima Bibi, Hayleigh Millar, Amaryllis Holland (September 2016)

Evidence has shown that Multisystemic Therapy (MST) has been particularly effective in the treatment of youth with antisocial behaviour from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Although the process of change within MST has been explored, there is a dearth of research in looking at this for families from ethnic minority backgrounds. This qualitative study aimed to explore ethnic minority caregiver experiences of MST and understand how this might impact on engagement, the presenting problems and the process of change. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven ethnic minority caregivers who had completed treatment. A constructivist version of grounded theory was used to analyse the data. Specific cultural theoretical codes that emerged were around the consideration of cultural difference in terms of the engagement process, the conceptualisation of difficulties and the therapist acting as cultural broker in the process of change. This research integrates culturally specific ideas into the existing MST Analytical Process.

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