What is Positive Peer Culture?
It is widely known that adolescents are influenced by their peers. Many of the Residential and Therapeutic Boarding Schools for both adolescents and adults have what they call a “positive peer culture” therapeutic model. I had never heard of this term until we joined the ranks of residential treatment for adolescents. It has been my experience that some facilities take this philosophy to an extreme level and others use portions of it, depending on the facility it may or may not be the determining factor for your teen to progress in the levels. All facilities put a priority on how each individual is getting along and contributing with their peers.
For teens there is a tremendous influence on the peer group, programs utilize a therapeutic program, in part, based on “positive peer model and social learning theory”, this shapes individual behavior by drawing on the powerful forces of the peer group. These may have been the forces that contributed to the factor that your teen is in treatment along with the development of negative behaviors and are now activated to foster positive relationships.
The positive peer culture programs are aimed to develop pro-social behavior through the development of a therapeutic community. It is the intent that this community will promote a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors. It is the hope that through time the community of peers will develop and maintain positive behaviors and properties. Some of these behaviors may include:
- A sense of belonging.
- A code of conduct that assures a safe environment and promotes pro-social behavior.
- Individual members responding positively to the influences of the community.
- Each member has a sense the he or she can make a significant positive contribution to the community.
- Individuals demonstrate social responsibility to the community, and the community assists residents by providing reinforcement for pro-social behavior.
- Censure of maladaptive behavior.
The central purpose and aim of the therapeutic community is to develop self-worth, significance, dignity and responsibility in each of the residents as they become committed to the positive values of helping and caring for others. The goal is to direct teens away form selfishness and conflict and toward a spirit of concern and service for others.
To learn more about positive peer culture read Positive Peer Culture (Modern Applications of Social Work)
by Larry Brendtro and Harry Vorrath
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I worked as a Group Leader at Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home in Freeport, IL for 10 years from ’86 – ’96. I would say to the young man who posted above that PPC as a treatment model was as ineffective or effective as the Executive Director and staff wanted it to be. We were one of the most well regarded PPC institutions in the state during my tenure. It had a great deal to do with the dedication of our staff and Ex. Director. Our graduates ran the success measure from graduating high school, living a better life, to still getting into trouble, ending up in jail. Most fell somewhere in between. I have contact with 5 graduates from our program and all of them are successful, with families of their own, jobs, homes and are happy.
I am also aware of Arden Shores reputation at the time the above young man was there. The reputation was one of chaos and lack of use of program, poorly trained staff and a poorly chosen Ex. Director.
The PPC program can be an extremely useful and helpful treatment model when used correctly by the group members, staff and other team members involved.
As a graduate of Arden Shores Home for Boys in 80-81, I can assure you that away from the parents eyes was a wall off Bullshit. PPC is an abusive demeaning form of humiliation. There are no real success stories from my point of view. 1 of my “peers” is in prison for the rest of his life having bounced his twins off of the wall, and one is dead from a drug overdose. None of us amounted to shit. NOT ONE! PPC is a complete scam designed to get money out of the deep pockets of spoiled little rich kids parents.(and the govt for the poor kids)Pay us for this ray of sunshine and brace yourself for the storm that will surly follow.
Thanks for sharing this important information about residential treatment. This strategy can greatly help the troubled adolescents to their path of recovery.