Engaging the Disengaged: Practical Strategies from a Positive Psychology Perspective

Transcription

1 Engaging the Disengaged: Practical Strategies from a Positive Psychology Perspective Marianne LoPresti, C. Psych. Assoc. Patricia Marra-Stapleton, C.Psych. Assoc. April 28,2009

2 Definition Resiliency is the ability to spring back from and successfully adapt to adversity. One fifteen year old defined resiliency thus: bouncing back from problems and stuff with more power and more smarts resiliency for life.com

3 Resiliency Research indicates that most people can bounce back from crisis, stress and trauma and experience life successes. It appears that each person has an innate capacity for resiliency that operates best when they have resiliency building conditions in their lives.

4 Features of Optimistic versus Focus on solutions rather problems (when change is possible) Use acceptance and humour More accurate about how much control they have in situations (even 5% counts) Negative Thinkers

5 Features of Positive Thinkers Cont d Have more and stronger social support Have better immune functions Take better care of themselves Less likely to deny and avoid problems

6 Features of Optimistic Thinkers Cont d Move out of their comfort zone Learn from failure and find meaning in setback. More likely to try new strategies when the ones they are using aren t working (selfassessment and self-efficacy)

7 Rules Of Engagement Student s remain in school when the environment is supportive, inclusive, and engaging. (B. Ferguson, 2005) Higher levels of school connectedness associated with Positive Classroom Management Climates (Journal of School Health, 2002)

8 Rules of Engagement The BEST predictors of successful change in students (Miller and Duncan 1997 analysis of research on resiliency and change) 1) Engagement in a meaningful relationship 2) Engagement in meaningful activities 83% on change involves these 2 elements

9 Virtues and Character Strengths 1. Wisdom and Knowledge creativity curiosity open-mindedness love of learning perspective

10 Virtues and Character Strengths 2. Courage authenticity bravery persistence zest 3. Humanity kindness love social intelligence

11 Virtues and Character Strengths 4. Justice Fairness Leadership Team work

12 Virtues & Character Strengths 5. Temperance forgiveness modesty prudence self-regulation 6. Transcendence appreciation of beauty and excellence gratitude hope humour Religiousness/spirituality

13 ABC MODEL Adversity Any problem situation (big or small) Beliefs About what caused it About the implications Consequences Emotions and behaviour that result from Beliefs and Adversity

14 Detecting Icebergs External Presentation of an individual How we Approach the World Internal Processes The Individual s Experiences, Beliefs, Feelings, Thinking Traps, Life Philosophy, Values

15 If we think we are fragile and broken, we will live a fragile, broken life. If we believe we are strong and wise, we will live with enthusiasm and courage. The way we name ourselves colours the way we live. Who we are is in our own eyes. We must be careful how to name ourselves. Wayne Muller

16 Fostering Resiliency in Schools 1.Provide a caring, supportive learning environment Feeling cared for and safe builds students /staff s resiliency Promoting positive social connections between staff members and students, students and their peers, and home and school, builds resiliency.

17 How to Reach the Disengaged Pay attention to and accentuate strengths. Use these strengths to connect to the curriculum Make your Belief your paradigm From wrong to strong ( W. Hammond)

18 How to Reach the Disengaged We can t engage if we feel UNSAFE Safe Environments Incorporate Trust Belongingness Fairness

19 Resiliency in Schools 2. Foster positive attitudes Help students believe that they can succeed if they try. Provide situations in which students are able to succeed Frame failure as a learning opportunity Teach them to re-evaluate and adjust strategies that may not be working

20 Resiliency in Schools 3.Nurture positive emotions in students and staff members Demonstrate and give students the chance to practice positive emotions such as optimism, respect, forgiveness and empathy. Staff members reinforce emotional intelligence, praise students for successes, and avoid judgments or harsh criticism for failure.

21 Resiliency in Schools 4.Foster academic self-determination and feelings of competence Provide clear and consistent expectations Help students develop a menu of homework and study strategies

22 Resiliency in Schools 4.Foster academic self-determination and feelings of competence, cont d Encourage students to regularly attend school and complete homework as well as develop talents in activities they enjoy. Teach students to set realistic goals and obtain necessary resources Assist student in future planning/long term goals setting

23 Resiliency in Schools 7. Healthy Habits Facilitate stress reduction by incorporating positive stress control strategies, such as meditation, controlled breathing, yoga, and exercise into the school curricula.

24 Fostering Resiliency/ Psychological Well-Being Research has shown that resilience results from: Positive social relationships Positive attitudes and emotions The ability to control one s own behaviour Feelings of competence

25 Resiliency: Conclusions Resiliency is the ability to recover rapidly from illness, change or misfortune. Building resiliency is a way of dealing with stressful situations in a way that is also helps you take the next step in your won growth as a person

26 Resiliency: Conclusions Building your resiliency raises your tolerance so that as you grow, things that stressed you out in the past no longer have the same hold on you. Building resiliency involves self-soothing and self-confronting.

27 Quotes He who has a why to live for, can endure any how. Victor Frankl, Psychiatrist Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well Robert Louis Stevenson

28 Quotes Character cannot be developed in peace and quiet. Only through trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision be insured and success achieved. Hellen Keller

29 Resources orp/publications.htm

30 References United States Longitudinal Student of Adolescent Health (Journal of School Health, 2002) Reivich, Karen & Shatte, Andrew; The Resilence Factor, Broadway books,copyright Seligman, Martin E. P. & Steen, Tracy A.; Positive Psychology Program- empirical Validation of Interventions, American Psychologist, July-August 2005, American Psychological Association

31 References cont d Community Health Systems Resource Group, Hospital For Sick Children. (2005) Early School Leavers: Understanding the Lived Reality of Student Disengagement From secondary School Final Report for the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, Special Education Branch Resiliency : Embracing a Strength Based Approach to evaluation, Service Provision and Professional Development, Dr. W. Hammond, Toronto, Ont., October 24, 2008

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