Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect
Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an adaptation of Multisystemic Therapy for families who come to the attention of child protective services. MST-CAN aims to prevent child abuse and neglect, ensure child safety, and keep families together by averting placement into foster care or other out-of-home placements. It also aims to reduce emotional and behavioral health problems and increase social support. MST-CAN is delivered to families by a team that includes therapists, a crisis caseworker, and a part-time psychiatrist. A supervisor helps to coordinate and oversee the services and staff. Services are individualized based on each family’s particular needs. MST-CAN is intended for children between the ages of 6 and 17, as well as their families. Families may receive MST-CAN services for six to nine months. They may participate in three to five sessions per week and can access services around the clock, as needed. Usually services are delivered in the family’s home, but location can be flexible based on the needs of the family. All staff receive standard MST training, MST-CAN-specific training, and trauma treatment training. Additional training is offered through weekly phone calls and quarterly on-site booster trainings.
A re-review of MST-CAN was conducted in March 2026 based on the potential for program or service rating to improve from re-review under the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0.
The Prevention Services Clearinghouse’s independent systematic review of MST-CAN found that at least one study carried out in a usual care or practice setting achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution and demonstrated a sustained favorable effect of at least 6 months beyond the end of treatment on at least one target outcome.
As of December 2025, the ACF Assistant Secretary has final approval authority over the determination of the program or service rating. For more information, please visit the FAQ on the rating determination policy.
Date Last Reviewed by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse (Handbook Version 2.0): Mar 2026
Date Program or Service Description Last Updated: Mar 2026
Date Originally Reviewed by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse (Handbook Version 1.0): Jun 2019
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information was informed by the following sources: The California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare, Crime Solutions, the program or service developer’s website, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, download the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0
Target Population
MST-CAN serves families with children between the ages of 6 and 17. Families who participate in MST-CAN are typically identified by child protective services due to neglect and/or abuse.
Dosage
Families can receive MST-CAN services for six to nine months. Families may participate in 3 to 5 sessions per week and can access services around the clock, as needed.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
MST-CAN is usually delivered in the home but can be used in any location that is convenient for the family.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- Home
- Mental Health Center, Treatment Center, Therapist Office
Education, Certifications and Training
MST-CAN is delivered by therapists with master’s degrees in social work or counseling, crisis caseworkers with bachelor’s degrees, and psychiatrists. These staff also have relevant experience and knowledge. They are supervised by individuals with a PhD or master’s degree who also have experience with child protective services, family therapy, and crisis management. In addition, all staff must participate in five days of standard MST training, four days of MST-CAN specific training, and four days of trauma treatment training. Additional training is offered through weekly phone calls and quarterly on-site booster trainings.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Swenson, C. C., Penman, J., Henggeler, S. W., & Rowland, M. D. (2010). Multisystemic Therapy for child abuse and neglect. Family Services Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina.
Available languages
Materials for MST-CAN have been translated into Dutch, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swiss German.
For More Information
Website: http://www.mstservices.com/mst-can-child-welfare-program
Phone: 843-876-1800
Email: info@mstservices.com
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 2 |
| Eligible for Review | 2 |
| Rated High | 0 |
| Rated Moderate | 1 |
| Rated Low | 1 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
|
95% Confidence Interval
|
Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child safety: Child welfare administrative reports | 0.55 | [-0.72, 1.82] | 20 | 1 (2) | 86 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child safety: Maltreatment risk assessment | -0.11 | [-0.54, 0.33] | -4 | 1 (22) | 86 |
Favorable:
3 No Effect: 16 Unfavorable: 3 |
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning | 0.15 | [-0.28, 0.58] | 5 | 1 (21) | 86 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 21 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Social functioning | 0.11 | [-0.32, 0.53] | 4 | 1 (4) | 86 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 4 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices | 0.04 | [-0.39, 0.47] | 1 | 1 (15) | 86 |
Favorable:
4 No Effect: 9 Unfavorable: 2 |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health | -0.02 | [-0.45, 0.41] | 0 | 1 (8) | 86 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 8 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention condition and a negative number favors the comparison condition. A range of comparison conditions, including no intervention, minimal intervention, placebo or attention, treatment as usual, and head-to-head comparison conditions are eligible for review (see Section 4.1.7 of the Handbook Version 2.0). Different types of comparison conditions may affect the magnitude of the effect sizes across studies. For example, an intervention compared to a no treatment comparison condition may produce a larger effect size than the same intervention compared to another intervention because the other intervention may itself be effective. The effect sizes shown may be derived from samples that overlap across studies. See the Individual Study Findings table for information about the specific comparison conditions used in each study and the Studies Reviewed section for information about any overlapping samples. The effect sizes presented here are provided for informational purposes only and are not used in determining a program or service rating.
| Outcome | Effect Size
|
Implied Percentile Effect
|
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
Number of Participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child safety: Child welfare administrative reports | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Reabuse - Youth (%) | 0.63 | 23 | 8 | 86 | |
| Reabuse - Parent (%) | 0.46 | 17 | 8 | 86 | |
| Child safety: Maltreatment risk assessment | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Neglect (2 month follow-up) | 0.14 | 5 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Psychological Aggression (2 month follow-up) | -0.06 | -2 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Severe Assault (2 month follow-up) | -0.02 | 0 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Neglect (2 month follow-up) | -1.27 * | -39 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Psychological Aggression (2 month follow-up) | 0.14 | 5 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Severe Assault (2 month follow-up) | 0.45 * | 17 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Neglect (4 month follow-up) | -0.13 | -4 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Psychological Aggression (4 month follow-up) | -0.28 | -10 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Severe Assault (4 month follow-up) | -1.20 * | -38 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Neglect (4 month follow-up) | -0.70 * | -25 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Psychological Aggression (4 month follow-up) | 0.05 | 2 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Severe Assault (4 month follow-up) | 0.61 * | 23 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Neglect | 0.35 * | 13 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Psychological Aggression | -0.04 | -1 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Severe Assault | -0.39 | -15 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Psychological Aggression | 0.03 | 1 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Severe Assault | 0.00 | 0 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Neglect | -0.01 | 0 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Psychological Aggression | -0.20 | -7 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Severe Assault | -0.18 | -7 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Psychological Aggression | 0.25 | 9 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Severe Assault | 0.11 | 4 | 2 | 83 | |
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Child Behavior Checklist: Total Problems (2 month follow-up) | -0.02 | 0 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anger (2 month follow-up) | 0.27 | 10 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anxiety (2 month follow-up) | -0.01 | 0 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Depression (2 month follow-up) | 0.05 | 1 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Dissociation (2 month follow-up) | -0.02 | 0 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Posttraumatic Stress (2 month follow-up) | 0.16 | 6 | 0 | 86 | |
| Child Behavior Checklist: Total Problems (4 month follow-up) | 0.11 | 4 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anger (4 month follow-up) | 0.37 | 14 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anxiety (4 month follow-up) | 0.34 | 13 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Depression (4 month follow-up) | 0.24 | 9 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Dissociation (4 month follow-up) | 0.24 | 9 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Posttraumatic Stress (4 month follow-up) | 0.20 | 7 | 0 | 86 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anxiety | 0.14 | 5 | 8 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Depression | 0.10 | 4 | 8 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Dissociation | 0.00 | 0 | 8 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Posttraumatic Stress | 0.33 | 12 | 8 | 83 | |
| Child Behavior Checklist: Externalizing | 0.15 | 5 | 2 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anger | 0.22 | 8 | 2 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Anxiety | 0.02 | 0 | 2 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Depression | 0.10 | 4 | 2 | 83 | |
| Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children: Posttraumatic Stress | 0.17 | 6 | 2 | 83 | |
| Child well-being: Social functioning | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Social Skills Rating System: Total (2 month follow-up) | 0.09 | 3 | 0 | 86 | |
| Social Skills Rating System: Total (4 month follow-up) | -0.07 | -2 | 0 | 86 | |
| Social Skills Rating System: Total | 0.22 | 8 | 8 | 83 | |
| Social Skills Rating System: Total | 0.19 | 7 | 2 | 83 | |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Minor Assault (2 month follow-up) | -0.31 | -12 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Nonviolent Discipline (2 month follow-up) | 0.48 * | 18 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Minor Assault (2 month follow-up) | 0.03 | 1 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Minor Assault (4 month follow-up) | -0.73 * | -26 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Nonviolent Discipline (4 month follow-up) | 0.74 * | 27 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Minor Assault (4 month follow-up) | 0.31 | 12 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Nonviolent Discipline (2 month follow-up) | 0.14 | 5 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Nonviolent Discipline (4 month follow-up) | -0.05 | -2 | 0 | 86 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Minor Assault | -0.94 * | -32 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Nonviolent Discipline | 0.24 | 9 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Minor Assault | 0.00 | 0 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Nonviolent Discipline | 0.55 * | 20 | 8 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Youth Report: Minor Assault | -0.30 | -11 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Minor Assault | 0.26 * | 10 | 2 | 83 | |
| Conflict Tactics Scale - Parent Report: Nonviolent Discipline | 0.19 | 7 | 2 | 83 | |
| Adult well-being: Parent/caregiver mental or emotional health | |||||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (Swenson, 2010) | |||||
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Global Severity Index (2 month follow-up) | -0.12 | -4 | 0 | 86 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Total Score (2 month follow-up) | -0.11 | -4 | 0 | 86 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Global Severity Index (4 month follow-up) | -0.16 | -6 | 0 | 86 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Total Score (4 month follow-up) | -0.23 | -9 | 0 | 86 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Global Severity Index | 0.10 | 3 | 8 | 83 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Total Score | 0.26 | 10 | 8 | 83 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Global Severity Index | 0.13 | 5 | 2 | 83 | |
| Brief Symptom Inventory: Total Score | -0.04 | -1 | 2 | 83 | |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention condition and a negative number favors the comparison condition. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0, Sections 6.4 and 6.5 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications. The Prevention Services Clearinghouse uses information reported in study documents and, when necessary, information provided by study authors in response to author queries to assign study ratings and calculate effect sizes (see Section 8.4.2 in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0). The Prevention Services Clearinghouse typically relies on study-reported p-values to form the basis of the assessment of statistical significance for a finding, but will perform its own statistical test of a finding using any available information in study documents or author queries, as needed (see Section 6.3 in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Version 2.0). As a result, the effect sizes and statistical significance reported in the table may not align with the estimates as they are reported in study documents.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtglobal.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Demographic Characteristics
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
||
| Study 10053 - MST-CAN vs. Enhanced Outpatient Treatment | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Charleston, South Carolina | 2000 |
Average age: 13.88 years; age range: 10 to 17 years
69% Black
22% White 9% Other
56% Female
|
100% of children had a CPS report for physical abuse | -- | ||
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Charleston, South Carolina | 2000 |
Average age: 41.79 years
65% Female
|
100% parents; 58% single parents; 100% of families had CPS report of physical abuse; 23.3% of families had a prior CPS report |
40% More than $30,000 | ||
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated Moderate
Study 10053Swenson, C. C., Schaeffer, C. M., Henggeler, S. W., Faldowski, R., & Mayhew, A. M. (2010). Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect: A randomized effectiveness trial. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(4), 497-507. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020324
Dopp, A. R., Schaeffer, C. M., Swenson, C. C., & Powell, J. S. (2018). Economic impact of Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 45(6), 876-887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-018-0870-1
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 7.2.2)Studies Rated Low
Study 10393Hefti, S., Perez, T., Feurstenau, U., Rhiner, B., Swenson, C. C., & Schmid, M. (2020). Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect: Do parents show improvement in parental mental health problems and parental stress, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(1): 95–109. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12367
Buderer, C., Hefti, S., Fux, E., Perez, T., Swenson, C. C., Furstenau, U., Rhiner, B., & Schmid, M. (2020). Effects of Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect on severity of neglect, behavioral and emotional problems, and attachment disorder symptoms in children. Children and Youth Services Review, 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105626
Bauch, J., Hefti, S., Oeltjen, L., Perez, T., Swenson, C. C., Furstenau, U., Rhiner, B., & Schmid, M. (2022). Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect: Parental stress and parental mental health as predictors of change in child neglect. Child Abuse & Neglect, 126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105489
Buderer, C., Kirsch, T., Perez, T., Swenson, C. C., Furstenau, U., Rhiner, B., & Schmid, M. (2024). Child and family characteristics in Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST‐CAN): Are there associations with treatment outcome? Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 50, 453-476. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12695
Buderer, C., Kirsch, T., Perez, T., Swenson, C. C., & Schmid, M. (2025). Differential treatment responses of maltreated and neglected children and adolescents following an evidence‑based multisystemic intervention. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 53, 69-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-024-01248-z
This study received a low rating because none of the target outcomes met measurement standards.Studies Not Eligible for Review
Study 10392
Brunk, M., Henggeler, S. W., & Whelan, J. P. (1987). Comparison of Multisystemic Therapy and parent training in the brief treatment of child abuse and neglect. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(2), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.55.2.171
This study is ineligible for review because the publication date is prior to 1990 (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.1)Study 10394
Hebert, S., Bor, W., Swenson, C. C., & Boyle, C. (2014). Improving collaboration: a qualitative assessment of inter-agency collaboration between a pilot Multisystemic Therapy Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) program and a child protection team. Australasian Psychiatry, 22(4), 370-373. doi: 10.1177/1039856214539572
This study is ineligible for review because it does not use an eligible study design (Handbook Version 2.0, Section 4.1.5)