Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescents in Denmark in need of out-of-home placement.

Detailed Description
-----------------
It is difficult to treat adolescents with serious behaviour problems. Although the number of adolescents displaying serious behaviour problems is limited, they are a serious concern to the society e.g. because of their frequent violent behaviour, criminal activities and lack of school adherence. Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC)is a community-based treatment program developed in USA. The goal of the MTFC program is to decrease problem behaviour and to increase developmentally appropriate normative and prosocial behavior in adolescents who are in need of out-of-home placement. This study will evaluate the effect of MTFC on adolescents in out-of-home placement. Participants will be recruited by caseworkers in the municipalities and randomly assigned to either MTFC or TAU. TAU will consist of other kinds of out-of-home placements. Outcomes will be assessed for all participants at baseline, post-treatment (12 months), and 12 months post-treatment. Parents and youth will be asked to fill out questionnaires on e.g. behaviour, parental stress, sense of cohesion, general health.

Official Title
-----------------
Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents

Conditions
-----------------
Adolescent Behaviour, Family Functioning

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care
* Behavioral: Treatment as usual


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: 12-17 years old In need of out of home placement serious behaviour problems Exclusion Criteria: severe psychiatric illness in youth or parent risk of suicide in youth acute psychosis in youth sexual offence by youth severe substance abuse in youth or parent

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: MTFC<br>Out of home placement in MTFC family program | Behavioral: Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care<br>* Out of home placement in MTFC family for 10-12 months<br>|
| Active Comparator: TAU<br>Other kind of out of home placement | Behavioral: Treatment as usual<br>* Other kinds of out of home placement<br>* Other names: TAU;|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strengths and difficulties questionnaire, Child Behavior Checklist | Measuring child/youth behaviour | 12 months post baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parental Stress Scale | Measuring parental stress | 12 months post baseline | 
| Sense of Cohesion 13 | Measuring stress in human functioning | 12 months post baseline | 
| Ladder of life | Measuring overall quality of life | 12 months post baseline | 
| Major Depression Index 10 | Measuring parent's depression symptoms | 12 months post baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Multidimension Treatment Foster Care, Adolescents, Disadvantaged families, Out-of-home placement, Conduct Disorder, Family program, Denmark, Youth