Effectiveness of a Multisystemic Therapy-based Intervention in Treating Non-suicidal Self-injury Behaviors and Conduct Problems in a Male Adolescent: A Case Report

The current study aims to report the effectiveness of multisystemic therapy-based intervention (MST-BI), an intensive family focused and community-based therapy, in treating conduct disorder (CD) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in male adolescent with CD. 

The case was a 17-year-old boy who met the DSM-IV criteria for CD and NSSI behaviors. A 4-week baseline and repeated measure design (a 5-month intervention and 3-month follow-up) were used. The rule-breaking and aggression constructs of Achenbach systems empirically based assessment (ASEBA) as well as the inventory of statements about self-injury (ISAS) were used for assessment at baseline, during treatment and at the follow-up phase. 

MST-BI reduced rule-breaking and aggressive behaviors. Also, it reduced NSSI behaviors. These outcomes were maintained for 3 months.

MST-BI has the potential to treat CD symptoms and NSSI behaviors in male adolescents with CD.