Improving Peer Relationships Through Positive Deviance Practices and the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive...

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Community Health
• Quality Improvement Science

Background:

• Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are vital for adult health and socioeconomic success.
• Supportive peer relationships are a key component of PCEs.
• Addressing trauma in youth requires innovative community-based strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve peer relationships among youth at the Asbury Park Boy & Girls Club.
• To evaluate the feasibility of a Positive Deviance (PD) approach in a community setting.
• To increase access to PCEs through enhanced social connections.

Main Methods:

• A Positive Deviance (PD) quality improvement project was implemented.
• Focus groups, discovery dialogues, and staff observations identified staff practices.
• PD practices were developed into staff training, and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis within the HOPE framework.

Main Results:

• Post-intervention focus groups indicated improved peer-to-peer relationships, with youth describing peers as "nice" and "kind."
• Staff corroborated perceived improvements in member interactions.
• The PD approach was found to be feasible in a community-based youth setting.

Conclusions:

• The Positive Deviance (PD) approach is a promising strategy for enhancing peer relationships.
• Implementing PD can increase access to Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) in community programs.
• This methodology offers a viable approach for youth trauma-informed initiatives.